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The reliability of frequency-doubling technology (FDT) perimetry in a pediatric population
1University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama 35294-0010, USA.
Insights
Frequency-doubling Technology (FDT) Perimetry is reliable for children aged 10 and older. This visual field test can be completed reliably by pediatric patients, aiding in early detection of vision problems.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology and Optometry
- Pediatric Visual Health
- Diagnostic Technologies
Background:
- Frequency-doubling Technology (FDT) Perimetry is an established method for detecting visual-field defects in adults.
- The reliability of FDT Perimetry has not been previously established in pediatric populations.
- Understanding the applicability of FDT Perimetry in children is crucial for early diagnosis of visual impairments.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the reliability of FDT Perimetry in a pediatric cohort.
- To determine the minimum age at which children can reliably complete the FDT C-20-1 screening test.
- To define the applicable age range for FDT Perimetry in pediatric visual-field screening.
Main Methods:
- Two hundred fifty-nine children (ages 4-17) with normal vision underwent the FDT C-20-1 screening test.
- Visual field results were analyzed for reliability based on false-positive errors, fixation losses, and flagged visual-field sectors.
- Unreliable results were defined as >=1 false-positive or fixation error, or >2 flagged sectors.
Main Results:
- Data from 254 children were analyzed; 5 were excluded due to potential confounding factors.
- False-positive errors were minimal except in the youngest group (4 years old).
- Fixation errors decreased with age, becoming reliable (below 1) around age 9 and remaining so through age 17.
Conclusions:
- Children aged 10 years and older can reliably complete the FDT C-20-1 screening test.
- Reliability is achieved using strict criteria including false-positives, fixation losses, and visual-field losses.
- The findings support the use of FDT Perimetry for visual field screening in normal children aged 10 and above.
Purpose:
Frequency-doubling Technology IFDT) Perimetry was introduced as a rapid, easy method for detection of visual-field defects in adults. Its reliability, howev, has never been tested among pediatric patients. The purpose of this study was to determine if children could complete a screening program of FDT Perimetry reliably and to define the age range over which it might be most applicable.
Methods:
Two hundred fifty-nine normal children (mean age, 10.7 years; range, 4 to 17 years) were asked to complete the FDT C-20-1 screening test as part of their general eye examination. The visual-field results were analyzed for reliability using the number of false-positive errors, fixation losses, and visual-field defects. For the purposes of this analysis, field results were considered unreliable with false-positives > or = 1 or fixation errors > or = 1. The visual-field test was also considered unreliable if > 2 sectors were flagged.
Results:
Data from 254 children were included in the analysis. Five children were excluded because of suspected malingering or ocular health diagnosis that may have produced a visual-field defect. False-positives were less than one for all but the youngest age group 14 years old). Fixation errors decreed with increasing age and fell below one (became reliable) at approximately 9 years of age, and remained less than one through 17 year. Visual-field loss for purposes of this study when present in more than two sectors was considered unreliable in this normal population.
Conclusions:
Children ages 10 years of age and older can reliably complete the FDT C-20-1 screening field test using the strictest criteria, combining false-positives, fixation losses, and visual-field losses. These data are derived from normal subjects, who on complete eye examination, had no ocular disease or reason to suspect visual-field defects.