IMPORTANCE OF THE STUDY OF THE CONTRAST SENSITIVITY FUNCTION IN GLAUCOMA

Abstract

Considering that, the measurements of the Visual Acuity (VA) with the Snellen’s letters do not correspond the reality of the power of the vision, since 1980, new  orms to measure this phenomenon have been reserched. One of the possible solutions is the application of the Contrast Sensitivity Function (CSF) exam, which is a psicophisical test of a very importance value for the establishment of precocius diagnostic for several diseases. In spite of the arisen interest about the exam and also the relative values of its sensibility and specificity, the study of the CSF hasn’t been used the way it was expected in ophthalmologic routine due to apparently conflictive results. For the authors of this article, although, most of the discrepances are apparently related to the distinctive ways of approaching the exam, whose application doesn’t follow the necessary methodological design. It’s belived that as soon as a pattern is set for the valuation of the CSF exam, th e results will no longer be incoherent and it’s full acceptance will be a fact. Besides the great value of the precocious diagnostic over several diseases, the CSF can also be extremely useful in the work medicine, measuring the conditions of the candidates on the acquisition of their document of habilitation for the conduction of maritimes, airyes and earthen vehicles. The exam on this case can be a limitant factor on the concession of this licenses.