Full-threshold versus Swedish Interactive Threshold Algorithm (SITA) in normal individuals undergoing automated...

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Visual Psychophysics

Background:

• Automated perimetry is crucial for diagnosing and monitoring glaucoma.
• Comparing different perimetric strategies is essential for optimizing diagnostic accuracy.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the performance of the full-threshold (FT) and Swedish Interactive Threshold Algorithm standard (SS) strategies in normal individuals undergoing their first automated perimetry test.

Main Methods:

• A randomized, comparative, observational case series involving 80 perimetrically naive normal individuals.
• Participants underwent computerized visual field examinations using both FT and SS strategies.
• Key variables analyzed included test time, fixation errors, and diagnostic indices like mean deviation and pattern standard deviation.

Main Results:

• The SS strategy identified more significantly depressed points on deviation maps in first-time examinations compared to FT (P < 0.05), with lower specificity (38.1% for SS vs. 63.2% for FT, P = 0.04).
• Overall analysis showed higher depressed points with SS (P < 0.05) and lower specificity (50% for SS vs. 72.5% for FT, P < 0.01).
• No significant differences in depressed points or specificity were observed between SS and FT during second examinations.

Conclusions:

• The SS strategy may lead to a higher number of false positives in naive individuals, potentially reducing diagnostic specificity compared to FT.
• These initial differences likely stem from lower interindividual variability with the SS strategy.
• Both FT and SS strategies demonstrate similar performance in individuals with prior perimetric experience.