Rapid contrast adaptation in glaucoma and in aging

Abstract

Purpose. The visual system rapidly adapts to contrast changes, often with each fixation. One key anatomical site underpinning contrast adaptation is the retinal ganglion cell dendrites, where degenerative changes occur in glaucoma. This study investigated the effects of early glaucoma and aging on rapid contrast adaptation. Methods. Contrast detection and discrimination thresholds were measured in central vision for briefly presented (94 ms) Gabor patches with and without adaptation to 50% contrast Gabor patches (1000 ms). Fourteen people with glaucoma (aged 58-77 years), 17 age-similar controls (aged 50-72 years), and 19 younger adults (aged 20-31 years) participated. Detection thresholds w..