A longitudinal study of visual function in multiple sclerosis: With a note on the Cambridge Grating Test

Abstract

104 patients with multiple sclerosis and normal Snellen visual acuity were submitted to a battery of tests of visual function. These were repeated at yearly intervals for up to four years. The tests included contrast sensitivity by means of an oscilloscope and the Cambridge grating, lightness discrimination, and two separate segments of the Farnsworth-Munsell 100 Hue test.

No significant change was observed during the period of observation. In a subgroup of patients with a previous history of optic neuritis the findings were similar. Visual function remained stable over a three-year period unless a further episode of optic neuritis occurred. The Cambridge grating test showed abnormality in 30% of patients compared with 84.1 % abnormal at 4 cycles/ degree in the oscilloscope screen projection for contrast sensitivity.

Key Words:

• multiple sclerosis
• contrast sensitivity
• optic neuritis
• colour vision
• visual evoked potential