Effects of yellow optical filters on contrast sensitivity function of albino patients.
BACKGROUND: Yellow ophthalmic filters are often prescribed for albino patients in an effort to enhance visual performance. The effects of a moderate- and a high-excitation purity yellow filter on the contrast sensitivity function (CSF) of ten albino patients were investigated. Hue discrimination loss induced by each filter was also evaluated. METHODS: Three monocular CSF curves (best-corrected eye) were determined for each subject: one while viewing through a #3 Kodak Wratten filter, one through a #12 filter, and one used no filter. Panel D-15 color tests were administered to five albino patients viewing through each filter. RESULTS: Using an analysis of variance (ANOVA) and a Student-Newman-Keuls Analysis, no statistical difference at the 0.05 levels of confidence was found between using no filter, the #3 filter, or the #12 filter CSF curves. A statistically significant blue-yellow hue confusion was induced by the #12 filter. CONCLUSIONS: While neither filter was shown to enhance nor degrade the CSF among these subjects, a more extensive investigation may reveal that subtle but real contrast enhancement occurs with yellow filter use. High-purity filters should be avoided to minimize hue recognition losses.