Contrast sensitivity in obese dyslipidemic patients with insulin resistance

Objective: To evaluate contrast sensitivity in insulin-resistant obese patients and in aretinopathic diabetic patients. Methods: Contrast sensitivity was measured at 3 letter sizes (44 x 44, 9 x 9, and 5 x 5 mm) in mesopic (5 candela [cd]/m(2)) and low photopic (85 cd/m(2)) vision in 20 dyslipidemic obese patients with insulin resistance, 20 age-matched patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, and 20 aged-matched healthy control subjects. Results: Significant loss of contrast sensitivity at all 3 letter sizes was observed in low photopic vision (at 44 x 44-mm letter size, control vs obese, P<.002, and control vs diabetic, P<.005; at 9 x 9-mm letter size, control vs obese, P<.02, and control vs diabetic, P<.001; and at 5 x 5-mm letter size, control vs obese, P<.05, and control vs diabetic, P<.005) and mesopic vision (at 44 x 44-mm letter size, control vs diabetic, P<.005; at 9 x 9-mm letter size, control vs obese, P<.005, and control vs diabetic, P<.01; and at 5 x 5-mm letter size, control vs obese, P<.005, and control vs diabetic, P<.001) in insulin-resistant obese and diabetic patients. Conclusion: The results suggest that an early neurosensory dysfunction may occur without visible vascular involvement and without overt hyperglycemia.