Skip to main content
The British Journal of Ophthalmology logoLink to The British Journal of Ophthalmology
. 1989 Apr;73(4):241–246. doi: 10.1136/bjo.73.4.241

Changes in colour contrast sensitivity associated with operating argon lasers.

K Gündüz 1, G B Arden 1
PMCID: PMC1041706  PMID: 2713300

Abstract

A new test of colour vision using computer graphics has been used to obtain quantitative estimates of colour contrast sensitivity in ophthalmologists before and after they have treated patients by argon laser retinal photocoagulation. The colour vision of all subjects is normal when tested with the 100-hue test and HRR (Hardy, Rittler, Rand) plates, but colour contrast sensitivity measured along a tritan colour confusion line is selectively impaired after a treatment session. No such change occurs after a medical session spent examining patients with a fundus camera. In younger ophthalmologists the sensitivity recovers several hours after the treatment session ends, but in some persons there is a prolonged and possibly permanent elevation of threshold.

Full text

PDF
242

Selected References

These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.

  1. Arden G. B. Doyne Memorial Lecture, 1978. Visual loss in patients with normal visual acuity. Trans Ophthalmol Soc U K. 1978;98(2):219–231. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  2. Arden G., Gündüz K., Perry S. Color vision testing with a computer graphics system: preliminary results. Doc Ophthalmol. 1988 Jun;69(2):167–174. doi: 10.1007/BF00153698. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  3. Gündüz K., Arden G. B., Perry S., Weinstein G. W., Hitchings R. A. Color vision defects in ocular hypertension and glaucoma. Quantification with a computer-driven color television system. Arch Ophthalmol. 1988 Jul;106(7):929–935. doi: 10.1001/archopht.1988.01060140075028. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  4. Harwerth R. S., Sperlng H. G. Prolonged color blindness induced by intense spectral lights in rhesus monkeys. Science. 1971 Oct 29;174(4008):520–523. doi: 10.1126/science.174.4008.520. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  5. Higgins K. E., Meyers S. M., Jaffe M. J., Roy M. S., de Monasterio F. M. Temporary loss of foveal contrast sensitivity associated with panretinal photocoagulation. Arch Ophthalmol. 1986 Jul;104(7):997–1003. doi: 10.1001/archopht.1986.01050190055039. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  6. Irvine A. R., Norton E. W. Photocoagulation for diabetic retinopathy. Am J Ophthalmol. 1971 Feb;71(2):437–445. doi: 10.1016/0002-9394(71)90115-2. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  7. Sliney D. H., Mainster M. A. Potential laser hazards to the clinician during photocoagulation. Am J Ophthalmol. 1987 Jun 15;103(6):758–760. doi: 10.1016/s0002-9394(14)74389-2. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  8. Sokol S., Moskowitz A., Skarf B., Evans R., Molitch M., Senior B. Contrast sensitivity in diabetics with and without background retinopathy. Arch Ophthalmol. 1985 Jan;103(1):51–54. doi: 10.1001/archopht.1985.01050010055018. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]

Articles from The British Journal of Ophthalmology are provided here courtesy of BMJ Publishing Group

RESOURCES