contrast sensitivity
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con·trast sen·si·tiv·i·ty
in optics, the ability to discern the difference in brightness of adjacent areas; in radiology, allergic reaction to iodinated radiographic contrast medium.
Farlex Partner Medical Dictionary © Farlex 2012
contrast sensitivity
The ability to distinguish objects from the background in which they are located. It is a critical component of functionally adequate vision.
Medical Dictionary, © 2009 Farlex and Partners
sensitivity, contrast
The ability to detect luminance contrast. In psychophysical terms it is the reciprocal of the minimum perceptible contrast. The measurement of the contrast sensitivity of the eye is a more complete assessment of vision than standard visual acuity measurement. It provides an evaluation of the detection of objects (usually sinusoidal gratings) of varying spatial frequencies and of variable contrast and thus obtaining a contrast sensitivity function (CSF). Example: following amblyopia treatment, some cases still have the same visual acuity while the CSF is improved. See contrast sensitivity chart; contrast sensitivity function; spurious resolution; Arden grating test; Vistech.
Table S1 Relationship between contrast sensitivity and contrast threshold (contrast sensitivity = 1/contrast threshold). Neither values have units | |||
contrast threshold | |||
contrast sensitivity | log10 contrast sensitivity | decimal | % |
1000 | 3.00 | 0.001 | 0.1 |
100 | 2.00 | 0.01 | 1 |
20 | 1.30 | 0.05 | 5 |
10.00 | 1.00 | 0.1 | 10 |
5.00 | 0.70 | 0.2 | 20 |
3.33 | 0.52 | 0.3 | 30 |
2.50 | 0.40 | 0.4 | 40 |
2.00 | 0.30 | 0.5 | 50 |
1.67 | 0.22 | 0.6 | 60 |
1.43 | 0.15 | 0.7 | 70 |
1.25 | 0.10 | 0.8 | 80 |
1.11 | 0.05 | 0.9 | 90 |
1.00 | 0.00 | 1 | 100 |
Millodot: Dictionary of Optometry and Visual Science, 7th edition. © 2009 Butterworth-Heinemann