Abstract

Aim: To evaluate the properties of devices for measuring stray light and glare: the Nyktotest, Mesotest, “conventional” stray light meter and a new, computer implemented version of the stray light meter.

Methods: 112 subjects, divided in three groups: (1) young subjects without any eye disease; (2) elderly subjects without any eye disease, and (3) subjects with (early) cataract in at least one eye. All subjects underwent a battery of glare and stray light tests, measurement of visual acuity, contrast sensitivity, refraction, and LOCS III cataract classification. Subjects answered a questionnaire on perceived disability during driving.

Results: Repeatability values were similar for all glare/stray light tests. Validity (correlation with LOCS III and questionnaire scores), discriminative ability (ability to discriminate between the three groups), and added value (to measurement of visual acuity and contrast sensitivity) were all superior for both stray light meters. Results of successive measurements are interrelated for the conventional but not the new stray light meter. This indicates a better resistance to fraud for the latter device.

Conclusions: The new computer implemented stray light meter is the most promising device for future stray light measurements.