Assessment of macular visual functions in patients with risk for obstructive sleep apnea syndrome

Purpose: To study and compare the macular visual functions among the subjects with and without risk for Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome. Methods: Prospective case–control study involving 20 cases and 17 controls. Subjects were classified as cases with the presence of snoring and controls in the absence of it. Cases were administered with a standardized Berlin Questionnaire and were grouped as high risk and low risk based on their scores. Color discrimination, contrast sensitivity, and photo stress recovery test were measured following a comprehensive eye examination. Body mass index and neck circumference were also measured. Results: There were 13 subjects in the high-risk category, 7 subjects in the low-risk category, and 17 subjects in the control group. The total error score in color discrimination was significantly different among high risk (112 ± 84.17), low risk (74 ± 43.98), and controls (56 ± 39.43) (P = 0.04) whereas, contrast sensitivity (P = 0.897), visual acuity (P = 0.95), and photo stress recovery test (P = 0.32) did not show any significant difference. Conclusion: High-risk category subjects showed poor color discrimination than controls hence, these individuals must undergo a detailed ophthalmic examination with a color discrimination test and must be evaluated in a sleep clinic.