Visual contrast sensitivity (VCS) was measured in 30 alcoholic patients and 52 controls. The results showed a significant reduction in VCS for all the spatial frequencies. The mean reduction for all spatial frequencies was 2.49 dB below the level of the control group. Optimal sensitivity corresponded to a lower spatial frequency in patients than controls, i.e. 1 cycle/degree (c/d) versus 2 c/d. Curves for VCS were normal for five patients. Abnormalities in VCS were suggestive of optic nerve dysfunction for 15 patients (50), which were probable in seven cases (23) and possible in eight others (27). For 10 subjects, the abnormalities were indicative of ametropia. Daily alcohol intake and daily tobacco consumption were not significantly different in the patients who displayed VCS abnormalities, reflecting alcohol-tobacco amblyopia, from those who did not. The presence of higher gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase and mean corpuscular volume levels in patients who had VCS abnormalities indicative of alcohol-tobacco amblyopia suggests that alcohol consumption is involved in the development of these abnormalities.
展开▼
