Contrast Sensitivity Improves Over Time in DR Patients with Stable VA

Assessing contrast sensitivity in DR patients may help monitor visual function, according to a new study, which found the test to be more sensitive than visual acuity. Photo: Steven Ferrucci, OD. Click image to enlarge. It’s typical for patients with diabetes who have diabetic retinopathy (DR) to experience vision problems and undergo traditional visual acuity (VA) tests. In a recent study, researchers used another measure of visual function—contrast sensitivity (CS)—to evaluate longitudinal changes in these patients. They found that DR patients with stable VA showed a significant improvement in CS over time, especially those who received anti-VEGF treatment. Their findings were presented Sunday at ARVO 2025 in Salt Lake City.This retrospective, longitudinal study included 71 DR eyes from 52 patients who had at least two visits and stable VA, defined as a change in best-corrected visual acuity within ± 5 Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study letters. CS was assessed with the quantitative CS Function (CSF) test, evaluating CS from one to 18 cycles per degree. Multiple methods of analysis were used to evaluate changes in VA and CS at the first follow-up compared to baseline and assess the association between change in visual function and clinical factors.In this cohort, 37 eyes had diabetic macular edema, and 35 eyes received anti-VEGF intravitreal injections during follow-up. There was significant improvement in CS over the mean follow-up period of 12 months, including among eyes with VA 20/30 or better. Receiving intravitreal therapy during follow-up was significantly associated with increased area under the log CSF values. “These findings suggest that CS testing is more sensitive than traditional VA tests and provides valuable insights into subtle changes in visual function,” the authors concluded. “This research highlights the importance of CS measurements for better monitoring and management of DR, improving patient care.”Original abstract content ©2025 Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology. Wang L, Baldwin G, Ding X, et al. Longitudinal evaluation of eyes with diabetic retinopathy and stable visual acuity reveals significant changes in contrast sensitivity function. ARVO 2025 annual meeting.