Mars Contrast Sensitivity tests are the choice of eye/vision specialists, occupational testers, and clinical researchers around the globe, when they want the most accurate, convenient and quick-to-administer contrast sensitivity measurements they can get.
Compared to competing tests, the Mars tests have the following advantages:
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Hand-held, and designed for convenient near-vision testing
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Each chart is printed with 48 different contrast levels, declining gradually in 0.04 log unit steps — the finest steps available in any printed contrast test.
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Testing is rapid — generally under a minute per eye for testing and scoring.
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Now available in both letter letter and numeral versions
Unlike other contrast tests that assess visual acuity using low contrast targets, the Mars tests are true contrast sensitivity tests that assess the lowest contrasts your patients can perceive, rather than the smallest letters they can identify at some low, arbitrarily chosen contrast. With the Mars tests, it is the contrast, and not the letter (or numeral) size, which diminishes from the beginning to the end of the chart.
Mars letters and numerals are large, insuring that even patients with low vision, can see them. And because research has consistently shown that large letters are identified by the most sensitive of the visual system's size-tuned spatial frequency channels, the Mars tests accordingly yields the sensitivity of the most sensitive channel, and of the visual system as a whole.
Typical Uses
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Monitoring functional effects of disease progression
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Assessing contrast sensitivity prior to and after an intervention
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Clinical trials for cataract, refractive surgery and ophthalmic pharmacologic agents
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Identifying functional losses in low contrast perception associated with optical and neural deficits
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Occupational testing and licensing
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Assessing and monitoring functional disability in low vision
Other Features and Benefits
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Three charts, for the left eye, right eye and binocular testing, or for repeated testing without letter sequence memorization
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Easy to store and protect
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Easy to illuminate (e.g., with instrument stand lamp)
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Matte surface allows even lighting with no glare-inducing hot spots
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Each chart mounted on durable plastic
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Now CE-marked as a medical device for sale throughout the European Economic Area
