Quantity and quality of vision using tinted filters in patients with low vision due to diabetic retinopathy

Purpose: to investigate the effect of tinted filters on visual acuity (va),contrast sensitivity and patient satisfaction in diabetic retinopathy associated with low vision. methods: in a prospective study,51 patients with diabetic retinopathy and low vision were assessed. we chose a simple random sampling method and used the patient's files for data collection. logmar notations were applied for assessing va and a contrast sensitivity chart (csv-1000) was employed for measuring contrast sensitivity. first,measurements were performed without tinted filters and then using them. appropriate lenses were given to the patients for 2 days,and they were questioned about their satisfaction using them in different places. results: a total of 20 male and 31 female patients with mean age of 57.3 years participated in the study. with a 527 ± 10 nm filter,mean va improved significantly (p ≤ 0.05). using the 527 ± 10 nm and 511 ± 10 nm filters,mean contrast sensitivity was improved significantly at 3 and 6 cycles/degree frequencies (p < 0.05). the effect of other filters on va and contrast sensitivity was not significant. patient satisfaction rate was generally high. conclusion: tinted filters are able to rehabilitate low-vision patients due to diabetic retinopathy. the 527 ± 10 and 511 ± 10 nm wavelength filters improved contrast sensitivity and the 527 ± 10 nm filter improved va to some extent. further investigations are recommended to assess the effect of these filters in patients with other causes of low-vision. © 2015 journal of ophthalmic and vision research | published by wolters kluwer - medknow.