The Mars contrast sensitivity chart

This article is best viewed in a PDF Format.

View PDF

However, while assessing contrast sensitivity is a specific part of some shared care schemes, such as the Welsh low vision scheme,4 it has never been taken up in general UK optometric practice.5

There are several reasons for its lack of popularity, not least due to the tests themselves. The 'gold standard' test of contrast sensitivity, which has been used in most clinical research projects, is the Pelli-Robson chart.6 This is a large chart taking up 84cm x 59cm of wall space, and requiring a working distance of 1m, which is inconvenient in many test rooms and domiciliary locations.