Chromatic Contrast Thresholds Research Articles

A contra-lateral comparison of the visual effects of a photochromic vs. non-photochromic contact lens

PurposeTo compare the effects of a photochromic contact lens vs. a non-photochromic control lens on visual function. MethodsA subject-masked, prospective contralateral eye design was used. Sixty-one subjects were enroled based on age (using a 2:1 allocation ratio for ages 18–39 and 40–65 years, respectively). The study lenses were senofilcon A with photochromic additive (Test) that filtered over the entire lens, compared to a non-photochromic Control with no tint. The Test lens was partially activated during testing with a steady-state transmittance of approximately 62%. Eligible subjects were tested using both study lenses, with Test and Control lens randomized by eye. Five visual function outcomes were tested: photostress recovery (PSR), glare disability (GD), glare discomfort (GDC), chromatic contrast (CC) and vernier acuity (VA). Iris colour and macular pigment density were assessed as control variables. PSR was measured as the time needed to recover sight of a target after an intense xenon flash exposure; GD was evaluated as the energy needed to veil a central target by a surrounding xenon annulus; GDC was measured using bio-imaging of the squint response and by self-report using a 9-item Likert scale; CC was measured as thresholds for a yellow grating target superposed on a 460-nm background; VA was determined by measuring vernier offsets of light lines through apertures. ResultsBased on our stimulus conditions, PSR was 43% faster using the Test vs. the Control. The eye wearing the Test had 38% less squint (GDC) compared to the Control. GD was improved by 36% in the Test vs. Control and CC was enhanced by 48% with the Test. There was no significant difference in VA. ConclusionsThere was a beneficial influence on visual function when comparing the photochromic with the non-photochromic contact lens. This benefit was seen specifically with respect to PRT, GDC, GD and CC thresholds.

A Study of Visible Chromatic Contrast Threshold Based on Different Color Directions and Spatial Frequencies

A Study of Visible Chromatic Contrast Threshold Based on Different Color Directions and Spatial Frequencies

Chromatic and achromatic vision: parameter choice and limitations for reliable model predictions

Many animals use vision to detect, discriminate, or recognize important objects such as prey, predators, homes, or mates. These objects may differ in color and brightness-having chromatic and achromatic contrast to the background or to other objects. Visual models are powerful tools to investigate contrast detection, but need to be calibrated by experimental data to provide robust predictions. The most critical parameter of current models-receptor noise-is usually estimated from a small number of behavioral tests on chromatic contrast thresholds, while equivalent tests of achromatic thresholds in a wide range of animals have often been ignored. We suggest that both chromatic and achromatic contrasts in studies of visual ecology should be examined using calibrated model parameters, and we provide a compilation of what is currently known on visual thresholds and corresponding noise estimates. Besides the need for careful parameter estimation, we discuss how the robustness of model predictions depends on assumptions about overall light intensity, background color and brightness, object size, and behavioral context. (Less)

Foveal Spatial Summation in Human Cone Mechanism

We measured at the fovea the chromatic contrast threshold for stimuli modulated along different chromatic directions in the isoluminant plane of MBDKL colour space, considering the two cardinal axes (L/M) and S/(L + M) and other intermediate non-cardinal directions. This psychophysical determination was conducted as a function of stimulus size. The test stimulus was a foveal isoluminant Gaussian patch with a raised cosinusoidal temporal profile superimposed on a neutral background. The task was performed binocularly. The increment threshold was measured for three observers by a Bayesian adaptive psychometric method (QUEST). The Ricco area of complete spatial summation was estimated from the threshold-versus-area curves. The perceptive fields are smaller for the L/M-cone opponent direction than the S/(L + M)-cone opponent. The perceptive field sizes for the stimuli in non-cardinal chromatic directions and stimuli modulated at the (L/M)-cone opponent direction present similar values. Measurements were made at two luminance levels, 5 and 40 cd m(-2), but the differences found were small. The perceptive field sizes found could be associated with LGN area.

Amplitude of the transient visual evoked potential (tVEP) as a function of achromatic and chromatic contrast: Contribution of different visual pathways

We investigated how the stimulation mode influences transient visual evoked potentials (tVEP) amplitude as a function of contrast of achromatic and isoluminant chromatic gratings. The chromatic stimulation probed only responses to the red-green axis. Visual stimuli were monocularly presented in a 5 degrees diameter circle, achromatic and chromatic horizontal gratings, 1 Hz pattern reversal stimulation, and achromatic and chromatic gratings, 300 ms onset per 700 ms offset stimulation. For the achromatic pattern reversal stimulation, a double slope function describes how the P100 amplitude varied as a function of log contrast which had a limb at low-to-medium contrasts and another limb at high contrasts. For the achromatic onset/offset stimulation, C2 amplitude saturated at the highest contrast tested and a single straight line described how it changed along most of the contrast range. Both presentation modes for chromatic gratings resulted in amplitude versus log contrast relations which were well described by single straight lines along most of the contrast range. The results may be interpreted as if at 2 cpd, achromatic pattern reversal stimulation evoked the activity of at least two visual pathways with high and low contrast sensitivity, respectively, while achromatic onset/offset stimulation favored the activity of a pathway with high contrast sensitivity. The neural activity in the M pathway is the best candidate to be the high contrast mechanism detected with pattern reversal and pattern onset/offset VEPs. The activity of color opponent pathways such as the P and K pathways either combined or in isolation seems to be responsible for VEPs obtained with isoluminant chromatic gratings at both presentation modes. When the amplitudes of chromatic VEPs were plotted in the same contrast scale as used for achromatic VEPs, chromatic contrast thresholds had similar values to those of the achromatic mechanism with high contrast sensitivity.

Transient VEP and psychophysical chromatic contrast thresholds in children and adults

It has been found that humans are able to distinguish colours without luminance cues by about 2–4 months of age and that sensitivity to colour difference develops during childhood, reaching a peak around adolescence. This prolonged period of maturation is reflected by improvements in psychophysical threshold measures and by the VEP characteristics of morphology, latency and amplitude. An intra-individual comparison of VEP and psychophysical responses to isoluminant colour stimuli has not been made in children, however, and this was the aim of the present study. VEPs were recorded from 49 subjects, children (age range: 4.8–12.6 years) and adults (age range: 25.7–33.2 years). Psychophysical and VEP thresholds were both measured in 40 of those subjects. Nominally isoluminant chromatic (L–M) sinewave gratings were presented in onset-offset mode and identical stimuli were used for psychophysical and VEP recordings to allow comparison. In agreement with previous reports, morphology of the transient VEP in response to this stimulus differed considerably between children and adults. There was a significant difference between psychophysical and VEP thresholds in children, but not in adults. Our findings support and expand on previous work on maturation of the L–M chromatic pathway and indicate a larger discrepancy between VEP and psychophysical chromatic thresholds in children than in adults.

Estimating chromatic contrast thresholds from the transient visual evoked potential

Chromatic contrast thresholds may be estimated from transient VEPs by measuring the peak-to-peak amplitude at a range of stimulus levels followed by extrapolation to zero amplitude. However, there have been reports of failure of this technique when applied to the transient chromatic VEP due to variability of amplitude, difficulties with component identification and poor correlation of amplitude with stimulus level. The aim of our study was to compare methods of transient VEP chromatic contrast threshold estimation in terms of success rate and comparison with psychophysical threshold. We found each of the methods we investigated to have a high success rate, and in most cases VEP and psychophysical thresholds did not differ significantly.

Senescence of spatial chromatic contrast sensitivity I Detection under conditions controlling for optical factors

Chromatic contrast thresholds for spatially varying patterns of various spatial frequencies (0.5, 1, 2, and 4 cycles per degree) were measured for ten older (65-77 yr of age) and ten younger (18-30 yr of age) observers. The stimuli were Gabor patches modulated along S-varying or (L - M)-varying chromatic axes. Thresholds were determined for two sets of stimuli. For one set of stimuli, the mean chromaticity and luminance were equated at the cornea for all observers. The second set of stimuli was corrected for ocular media density differences to equate stimulation of each of the three cone types at the retina for each individual. Chromatic contrast thresholds were higher for older observers for all stimuli tested. The magnitude of this difference showed little dependence on spatial frequency. When stimuli were equated at the cornea, this difference was greater for S-varying stimuli. When stimuli were equated at the retina, the age-related difference in thresholds for S-varying stimuli was reduced. Both optical and neural factors contribute to these age-related losses in spatial chromatic contrast sensitivity.

Orientational contrast sensitivity and chromatic contrast thresholds in multiple sclerosis

PurposeTo investigate abnormalities of orientational contrast sensitivity (CS) and chromatic contrast threshold (CCT) in multiple sclerosis (MS). DesignCase control study. MethodsNine subjects (mean age, 42 ± 11 years; range, 20–62 years) with MS, an expanded disability status scale of 3 or less, and normal visual acuity (VA) (logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution [logMAR] VA less than .1) in the tested eye were age-matched with 20 controls. Achromatic CS and CCT were measured using static, computer-generated sinusoidal gratings displayed on a high-resolution monitor. The CS and CCT of each subject were determined using a randomized double-staircase reversal algorithm; CS was measured at five spatial frequencies with horizontal orientation and three with vertical orientation; CCT was measured along the red-green and tritan confusion axes. The sensitivity thresholds of subjects were examined in relation to the mean sensitivity of controls for each spatial frequency. ResultsTwo subjects had loss of horizontal and vertical CS, and three had isolated vertical loss. When compared with the control mean, there were significant reductions in red-green (P = .016) and tritan (P = .016) discrimination thresholds. ConclusionThis study used a computerized psychophysical test designed to minimize many of the test errors associated with earlier studies. It provides confirmatory evidence that MS may be associated with a loss of orientational CS and color vision, in the absence of reduced VA.

Monocular chromatic contrast threshold and achromatic contrast sensitivity in children born prematurely

Purpose To study the effect of prematurity on monocular chromatic contrast thresholds (CCT) and achromatic contrast sensitivity (ACS). Design Case–control study. Methods A prospective study of 59 children born at less than 33 weeks’ gestation was undertaken. Subjects were identified during routine neonatal screening for retinopathy of prematurity and recalled for testing at age 7 to 13 years. Five had stage 1 retinopathy of prematurity, seven had stage 2, and three had stage 3. Sixty-eight full-term children were recruited as controls. Those with major cerebral or eye disease were excluded. The CCT and ACS were measured monocularly in the eye with better visual acuity using static, computer-generated, sinusoidal gratings, displayed on a high-resolution monitor. The CCT and ACS were determined using a randomized double-staircase reversal algorithm. The ACS was measured at five spatial frequencies (0.22, 0.44, 0.88, 1.75, and 3.50 cycles/degree), and the CCT was measured along red–green and tritan confusion axes. Results Red–green ( P = .326) and tritan ( P = .910) contrast thresholds and ACS ( P > .394 for all spatial frequencies) were similar to the control group. Conclusions Previous research suggests that prematurity adversely affects color vision and ACS. This study used a computerized psychophysical test that minimized the test errors inherent in many previous studies. Unexpectedly, CCT and ACS were found to be similar to full-term children.

Chromatic contrast thresholds as a prognostic test for visual improvement after macular hole surgery: color vision and macular hole surgery outcome.

To evaluate the relationship between preoperative chromatic contrast thresholds, postoperative visual acuities (VA), and visual improvement after macular hole surgery. A consecutive series of patients with Stage II to IV macular holes was studied before macular hole surgery. Preoperative chromatic contrast thresholds, VA, and reading acuity were analyzed in relation to the postoperative visual function. The chromatic contrast thresholds were measured using a computerized cathode ray tube-based system along red-green and tritan confusion axes. Preoperative and postoperative chromatic contrast thresholds were elevated significantly in affected eyes (P < 0.001). Preoperative VA showed a strong correlation with postoperative VA (r = 0.66, P < 0.001) but a weak correlation with visual improvement (r = -0.33, P = 0.03). Red-green contrast threshold correlated strongly with both the distance visual improvement (r = -0.77, P < 0.001) and reading visual improvement (r = -0.61, P < 0.001). Tritan contrast threshold, however, showed a slightly weaker correlation (distance: r = -0.63, P < 0.001; reading: r = -0.47, P < 0.005). These results suggest that chromatic contrast thresholds, especially the red-green contrast threshold, represent a better prognostic guide for visual improvement after macular hole surgery than VA measurement.

Infant temporal contrast sensitivity functions (tCSFs) mature earlier for luminance than for chromatic stimuli: evidence for precocious magnocellular development?

In order to investigate the development of luminance and chromatic temporal contrast sensitivity functions (tCSFs), we obtained chromatic and luminance contrast thresholds from individual 3- and 4-month old infants, and compared them to previously obtained functions in adults. Stimuli were moving sinusoidal gratings of 0.27 cyc/deg, presented at one of five temporal frequencies: 1.0, 2.1, 4.2, 9.4 or 19 Hz (corresponding speeds: 3.8, 7.7, 15, 34, 69 deg/s). Previous studies, including our own, have shown that adult tCSFs are bandpass for luminance stimuli (peaking at 5–10 Hz), yet lowpass for chromatic stimuli (sensitivity falling at >2 Hz), and that the two functions cross one another near 4–5 Hz when plotted in terms of cone contrast. In the present study, we find that the shapes and peaks of the luminance tCSF in both 3- and 4-months-olds appear quite similar to those of adults. By contrast, chromatic tCSFs in infants are markedly different from those of adults. In agreement with our earlier report (Dobkins, K. R., Lia, B., & Teller, D. Y. (1997). Vision Research, 37(19), 2699–2716), the chromatic function in 3-month-olds is rather flat, lacking the sharp high temporal frequency fall-off characteristic of the adult function. In addition, the luminance tCSF in 3-month-olds is elevated above the chromatic tCSF, and the two functions do not exhibit an adult-like cross-over within the range of temporal frequencies tested. By 4 months of age, substantial development of chromatic contrast sensitivity takes place at the lowest temporal frequencies. Although still immature, the 4-month-old chromatic tCSF has begun to adopt a more adult-like shape. In addition, similar to adults, luminance and chromatic tCSFs in 4-month-olds cross one another near 5 Hz. In adults, magnocellular (M) and parvocellular (P) pathways are thought to underlie the bandpass luminance and lowpass chromatic tCSF, respectively (e.g. Lee, B. B., Pokorny, J., Smith, V. C., Martin, P. R., & Valberg, A. (1990). Journal of the Optical Society of America ( a), 7(12), 2223–2236). Based on this correspondence between psychophysical and neural responses in adults, our results suggest that the relatively slow development of the chromatic tCSF in infants may reflect immature chromatic responses in the P pathway and/or reliance on chromatic responses originating in the M pathway.

Infant color vision: Temporal contrast sensitivity functions for chromatic (red/green) stimuli in 3-month-olds

In order to investigate the development of temporal contrast sensitivity functions (tCSFs) for chromatic (red/green) stimuli, we obtained chromatic contrast thresholds from 3-month-old infants and adults using behavioral techniques. Stimuli were moving or counterphase-reversing sinusoidal gratings of 0.25 c/deg. Five temporal frequencies were used: 0.7, 2.1, 5.6, 11 and 17 Hz (corresponding speeds = 2.8, 8.4, 22, 44 and 67 deg/sec). In order to compare chromatic results with those obtained under luminance-defined conditions, luminance tCSFs were also obtained from adults, and previously obtained infant luminance tCSFs were used (from Dobkins & Teller, 1996a). In accordance with previous studies, adults exhibited bandpass luminance tCSFs with peaks near 5 Hz and lowpass chromatic tCSFs that declined rapidly at temporal frequencies greater than 2 Hz, and the two curves crossed one another near 4 Hz. By contrast, infants exhibited bandpass rather than lowpass chromatic tCSFs with peaks near 5 Hz. These chromatic curves were quite similar in peak frequency and general shape to previously obtained infant tCSFs for luminance stimuli. Moreover, both chromatic and luminance tCSFs in infants were found to be quite similar in peak and shape to luminance tCSFs observed in adults. These findings point to the possibility that, for 3-month-old infants, both chromatic and luminance stimuli are detected by the same underlying mechanism under these conditions. We propose that such a mechanism is probably a physiological pathway dominated by magnocellular input. Earlier studies of infant color vision are discussed in this context.

Chromatic-contrast threshold impairment in diabetes

A prospective study was carried out to investigate acquired colour-vision deficits in diabetics using an automated, computer-controlled, cathode-ray-tube based test of chromatic contrast. Chromatic-contrast thresholds estimates were measured along both a red/ green (constant S-cone) confusion axis and a tritan (constant M/L-cone) confusion axis for 305 eyes of 305 diabetics. The diabetic data were partitioned into groups based on a clinical categorisation of retinopathy. The diabetic data were compared with both age-matched and 'lens-equated' control data obtained from a bank of 347 normal subjects. Further analysis of differences between diabetic-status groups was performed. Associations between chromatic contrast threshold estimates and age, duration of disease, and severity of both macular oedema and ischaemia were investigated. The diabetic group was found to have significantly reduced chromatic-contrast threshold estimates when compared with normal controls, even in the absence of retinopathy. This reduction in chromatic contrast was predominantly tritanopic in nature. Interestingly, no reduction in red/green chromatic-contrast threshold estimate was found in diabetics without retinopathy. The tritan deficit seen in diabetics without retinopathy was strongly correlated with duration of disease, but when adjustments were made to account for the effects of duration-dependent lens yellowing, the tritan deficit was no longer apparent. A correlation between both the severity of macular oedema and severity of ischaemia with chromatic-contrast loss was established. Acquired reductions in both red/green and tritan chromatic-contrast threshold estimates seen in diabetics are strongly correlated with the severity of retinopathy. The results provide evidence that the specific tritan deficits seen in diabetics can be explained by the effects of lens yellowing rather than by selective damage of the blue cone system as has been hypothesised by other groups. The results provide support for the potential use of automated CRT-based tests of colour vision in diabetic retinopathy screening protocols.

Infant luminance and chromatic contrast sensitivity: Optokinetic nystagmus data on 3-month-olds

Infant color vision is poor, and most psychophysical experiments agree that infant color vision emerges between ages 3 weeks and 3 months. Presumably, the color vision of infants is poor during the months immediately after it has emerged. We have tested two alternative explanations for the poor color vision of infants: (1) there is a special critical immaturity within the color pathways of infants; (2) infants have poor infant color vision because they are insensitive to contrast. Luminance and chromatic contrast thresholds were measured on 3-month-olds using optokinetic nystagmus (OKN), and adult luminance and chromatic contrast thresholds were measured using OKN and two forced-choice methods: direction-of-motion discrimination and grating detection. The infant chromatic-to-luminance contrast threshold ratio shows that infants are as sensitive or even more sensitive than adults to color, depending on the testing method used on adults. This result suggests that the general contrast insensitivity hypothesis is correct. Conservative “worst-case” quantitative analysis strongly suggests that this result is not the consequence of a luminance artifact.

Anisotropy in the chromatic channel: a horizontal-vertical effect.

We compared the chromatic contrast thresholds of drifting (2Hz) red-green sine-wave gratings of horizontal, vertical, and two oblique orientations at three spatial frequencies (2, 4, 8 cpd). Luminance contrast thresholds for yellow-black gratings were also obtained. The classic oblique effect was found for high spatial frequency luminance and chromatic stimuli. For chromatic thresholds, a significant difference was found between the horizontal and vertical thresholds of all observers. One observer was retested with her head tilted 45 deg and demonstrated that the anisotropy was specific to retinal coordinates. These results give evidence for orientation selectivity in the chromatic channel which is at least partially independent of that in the luminance channel. We estimated the degree of lateral chromatic aberration in our observers' eyes and discuss the possible contribution of this aberration to the horizontal-vertical difference in the chromatic channel.