Contrast sensitivity in Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension

Background: Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension (IIH) is a disease of elevated intracranial pressure without any known cause. Visual dysfunction is the major morbidity of this disease but not much is known about the way the contrast sensitivity (CS) function is affected. Objective: This prospective, interventional study attempted to evaluate the change in central and peripheral contrast sensitivity, after treatment in patients diagnosed with IIH. Materials and methods: Twenty eyes of 10 IIH patients underwent an internet based, Spaeth Richman Contrast Sensitivity (SPARCS) test. Average and quadrant wise SPARCS scores were compared at presentation (treatment naïve), 1-month post treatment and 3 months post treatment. Results: The average SPARCS scores pre-treatment, 1-month post-treatment and at 3 months post treatment were 68.8 + 10.16, 74.45 + 11.17 and 75.7 + 10.81 respectively. At 3 months visit, the average SPARCS score was nearly comparable to the average score in normal Indian subjects, observed in a previous study of ours. Quadrant wise change in contrast sensitivity from first visit to third visit was significant in superonasal (p=0.003), inferonasal (p=0.029) and inferotemporal (p= 0.007) quadrants. Discussion: Effect of IIH on visual system is still a relatively unexplored area, especially in the Indians. Not many studies have concentrated on its impact on central as well as peripheral CS. Previous studies have hinted at a possible role of CS as a better indicator of visual dysfunction than other parameters. Conclusions: IIH affects both central and peripheral contrast sensitivity and therapy results in the improvement of contrast deficit. Poor contrast can possibly be explained by relatively more involvement of Magnocellular pathway over the Parvocellular pathway. Abbreviations: IIH = Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension, CS = Contrast Sensitivity, SPARCS = Spaeth Richman Contrast Sensitivity Test, BMI = Body Mass Index, MC = Magnocellular pathway, PC = Parvocellular pathway.