Critical flicker fusion test of potential vision.

PURPOSE

To continue developing a potential vision test based on the critical flicker fusion (CFF) phenomenon by using a brighter stimulus and optimizing its size.

SETTING

Flinders Eye Centre, Flinders Medical Centre, Flinders University, Bedford Park, South Australia, Australia.

METHODS

In a prospective nonrandomized study, 225 participants were assigned to 1 of 4 groups: normal, media opacity only, retinal/neural disease only, and cataract plus retinal/neural disease. Participants were recruited if they were 20 years or older but were excluded if they had a neurological disorder or medication known to affect CFF. The CFF thresholds were measured for 3 stimulus sizes: 0.5 degree, 1.0 degree, and 1.5 degrees. Discrimination between groups was tested by analysis of variance and receiver operating characteristic analysis. The relationship between visual acuity and CFF in eyes without media opacity was determined by linear regression and used to predict visual outcomes in 23 eyes having cataract surgery.

RESULTS

The mean age of the 225 participants was 71.4 years +/- 13.2 (SD); 134 (59.8%) were women. The normal group had 41 participants, and the other 3 groups had 61 participants each. Critical flicker fusion thresholds were reduced in retinal/neural disease but resistant to image degradation from media opacity. The 1.5-degree stimulus had 88% sensitivity and 90% specificity for discriminating groups. Visual acuity after cataract surgery was accurately predicted within +/-1 line in 43% of eyes, +/-2 lines in 83%, and +/-3 lines in 100%. All eyes with poor visual acuity (>0.50 logMAR) or dense cataract (>4.0 Lens Opacities Classification System III) were predicted within +/-2 lines.

CONCLUSIONS

The CFF phenomenon effectively discriminated between subjects with and without retinal/neural disease and accurately predicted visual outcome after cataract surgery. The use of a brighter stimulus enhanced performance in cases of dense media opacity.