Document Detail


Contrast reduction and reading: assessment and reliability with the Reading Explorer test.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  19882511     Owner:  NLM     Status:  MEDLINE    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
PURPOSE: To investigate the reliability of the Reading Explorer (REX) charts and to assess the impact of text contrast reduction (1.5 cycle/degree) on reading speed in subjects with normal and low vision. METHODS: Standard visual acuity (ETDRS charts), reading speed (MNread charts), and contrast sensitivity (Pelli-Robson charts) measurements were obtained in 3 groups of subjects stratified by visual acuity level in the better eye from 0.0 to 1.0 logMAR, with intermediate cutoffs at 0.3 and 0.6 logMAR. Measurements of reading speed for decreasing levels of text contrast were obtained with the REX charts using a 1.5 cycle/degree text. RESULTS: Since in many patients with lower vision a plateau of maximum reading speed across different levels of text contrast was not found, reliability indexes were computed for average reading speed and reading contrast threshold. In the group with lower visual acuity, 95% limits of agreement were +/-0.134 log word/minute and +/-0.175 log contrast sensitivity, suggesting good reliability. The proportion of subjects with a 20% loss of reading speed from 90% to 45% text contrast was estimated to be 1/3 at 0.6 logMAR visual acuity level and 2/3 at 1.0 logMAR. CONCLUSIONS: The adverse effect of decreased text contrast, which may be found in ordinary reading material, on the reading performance of subjects with advanced and initial low vision is probably underestimated. The REX test proved to be a reliable investigation tool for this phenomenon.
Authors:
Giovanni Giacomelli; Roberto Volpe; Gianni Virgili; Alessandro Farini; Roberto Arrighi; Chiara Tarli-Barbieri; Rita Mencucci; Ugo Menchini
Publication Detail:
Type:  Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't    
Journal Detail:
Title:  European journal of ophthalmology     Volume:  20     ISSN:  1120-6721     ISO Abbreviation:  Eur J Ophthalmol     Publication Date:    2010 Mar-Apr
Date Detail:
Created Date:  2010-03-11     Completed Date:  2010-07-08     Revised Date:  -    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  9110772     Medline TA:  Eur J Ophthalmol     Country:  Italy    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  389-96     Citation Subset:  IM    
Affiliation:
Department of Ophthalmology, University of Firenze, Firenze, Italy. giovanni.giacomelli@unifi.it
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MeSH Terms
Descriptor/Qualifier:
Adolescent
Adult
Aged
Aged, 80 and over
Contrast Sensitivity / physiology*
Humans
Middle Aged
ROC Curve
Reading*
Reproducibility of Results
Vision Tests / methods*
Vision, Low / diagnosis,  physiopathology*
Young Adult

From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine


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