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Visual contrast sensitivity testing, tracking effects of biotoxins on nervsystem and eyes.
Anyone here tried using this to track the effects of their Low vA Journey?
Its developed for mold toxicity but measures nervsystem and eye health so seems likely it would be applicable for vitamin-a.
What is visual contrast sensitivity testing?Visual contrast sensitivity testing measures your ability to see details at low contrast levels and is often used as a nonspecific test of neurological function. Similar in form to a standard audiometry hearing test, a VCS test generally involves the presentation of a series of images of decreasing contrast to the test subject and the recording of the contrast levels where patterns, shapes, or objects can or cannot be identified. The results of the test can then be used as an aid in the diagnosis of visual system dysfunction.
What can cause a contrast sensitivity deficit?Many things can affect the ability to perceive contrast. These include nutritional deficiencies, the consumption of alcohol, drug/medication use, and exposure to endogenous or exogenous neurotoxins and/or biotoxins, including volatile organic compounds (VOCs), venom from animal or insect stings or bites, actinobacteria, some species of mold and the mycotoxins and microbial VOCs they produce, cyanobacteria, dinoflagellates (particularly Pfiesteria and Ciguatera), apicomplexans, parasites, heavy metals like mercury and lead, and the pathogens responsible for Lyme disease and its common co-infections. For more information, see our Research resources.
Why is VCS testing diagnostic?VCS testing, by itself, is generally not diagnostic for any specific condition (including either mold or neurotoxin exposure), but a positive result may suggest the existence of a health and life-affecting clinical or subclinical process. If your results are positive, you could have a number of different conditions and should see your healthcare provider.
What about symptoms?VCSTest.com offers an optional symptom assessment that can help you determine if you might be suffering from Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (CIRS). The CIRS assessment is 37 questions long and adds two (2) pages to our detailed results PDF. The results should be shared with your healthcare provider, or one familiar with CIRS.
How does your test compare to the test offered by Dr. Shoemaker?VCSTest.com contrast sensitivity tests have been taken tens of thousands of times and are widely used and relied upon by individuals, healthcare professionals, and researchers all around the world. Our new Online Contrast Sensitivity Test™ - the OCST™ - is identical to the Functional Acuity Contrast Test, or FACT®, used by Dr. Shoemaker and others involved in neurotoxin research in terms of contrast levels and spatial frequencies tested, but it uniquely features on-screen display size and gamma calibration to ensure that results are accurate and valid regardless of the type, size, and settings of the device used to test. Additionally, OCST test images are generated dynamically in software, which ensures that images are of the highest quality and that the test is different each time you take it. Our biotoxin-illness pass/fail algorithm is the same proven algorithm used by Dr. Shoemaker, though the OCST also scores performance at the other tested spatial frequencies using criteria developed from current contrast sensitivity-related research. We provide up to 4 pages of enhanced and expanded results and interpretation, including research-based information on what deficits at each of the tested spatial frequencies might suggest. Results are immediately available on-screen, and in printable and forwardable PDF format if you choose to make a contribution.
I'm still doing badly on it although I am more worried about environmental toxins than vitamin A as the cause.
How long have you avoided vitamin-a and other toxins? No change test data?
3 years. I actually started before worrying about environmental toxins, which is more like two years ago. I did have a VCS test eight or so years ago, which had a higher score than my tests over the last few years.
The other day I was saying to husband that it seems to me like my body hyper-reacts to everything. Noises are unbearable, bright (especially flashing) lights are awful, a little cold and my feet go white with Raynauds, bras seem like torture, etc.
Aren't things like that also attributed to those "on the spectrum"? Well, my husband also feels that most people in my family are "on the spectrum". LOL.
I actually do seem to need bright light to see, even more than I need glasses to see (which may be more to the point of the original post). I've been told it is because of astigmatism.
Personally my theory is that the cranial pressure caused the astigmatism. The cranial pressure is gone, and I have hope that the astigmatism will also go too. I had 20/20 when I was young. My eyes used to bulge more when I was very VA toxic.
light and noise sensetivity is that common for vitA toxicity?
Hmm, are you saying vitamin-a -> high cranial pressue -> astigmatism ?
noticed any subjective changes to your vision ?
Quote from kularity on May 3, 2024, 3:16 amlight and noise sensetivity is that common for vitA toxicity?
Hmm, are you saying vitamin-a -> high cranial pressue -> astigmatism ?
noticed any subjective changes to your vision ?
@kularity Cranial pressure is a known effect of hypervitaminosis. I had my first migraine in 7th grade and went on to have headaches until I read Grant's site 5 years ago. (I'm 61). So, the cranial pressure thing is known and it went away when my intake reduced.
I definitely saw that my eyes receded into my head after a few years lowered VA. I definitely didn't begin life with astigmatism. So I put the two and two together that the cranial pressure changed my eyeball shape.
I wish I could say that I think the eyeball shape is going back to round but I don't think they have. I wear (a very low number) reading glasses for small things and I wear my old astigmatism glasses for driving. I try not to wear glasses otherwise in hopes that my eyes will go back to their old shape.
I am on the slow boat, and I do believe that even after 5 years I'm Still Detoxing! As a WAPF'er and homesteader I probably ingested much more VA than Grant. Ridiculous amounts. I sort of wonder if I'll be detoxing for life.
Hmm I didn't answer your light and noise sensitivity question and I can only speak for myself. Maybe others will answer. It does seem like my ears are particularly targeted and I've had dizziness which is another known effect of hypervitaminosis. And tinnitus and motion sickness. Not everyone gets the same symptoms and it seems like some people's problems are about their heads more than others. My facial skin, ears, eyes, nose, mouth are all highly affected in my case.