Aging Effects in Psychophysical Foveal Light Detection Thresholds

Abstract

Foveal light detection sensitivity was evaluated in 348 volunteers covering a large age range using an automated perimetry performed in the Humphrey Field Analyzer II. Foveal sensitivity was measured using the Humphrey's 4-2 bracketing strategy with a 30 dB initial stimulus intensity, at an inferior visual field location, a 0.431 (4mm 2 , viewed at 30 cm; Goldmann III) spot of white light is presented on a 10 cd/m2 white background. The sensitivity measurement was performed monocularly in both eyes randomly chosen. Our results showed a negative moderate correlation between age and the light sensitivity detection of OD (r= -0.5591; p< 0.001) and OS (r= -0.6021, p< 0.001). A moderate positive correlation was obtained between the light sensitivity of the two eyes (r= -0.5986; p< 0.001). We conclude reporting aging effect in the foveal sensitivity light detection suggesting functional decrease in perceptual function guide by developmental changes. Tolerance limits for normative purposes were measured.