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Evidence for a learning effect in short-wavelength automated perimetry
John M Wild1, Linda S Kim, Ian E Pacey
1Cardiff School of Optometry and Vision Sciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, United Kingdom. wildjm@cardiff.ac.uk
Ophthalmology
|February 7, 2006
Summary
Short-wavelength automated perimetry (SWAP) shows a learning effect in patients with ocular hypertension (OHT) and open-angle glaucoma (OAG). Initial SWAP results may indicate field loss due to inexperience, not actual disease progression.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Visual Neuroscience
Background:
- Standard automated perimetry (SAP) is a common visual field test.
- Short-wavelength automated perimetry (SWAP) is an alternative method.
- Learning effects can influence perimetric results.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantify the learning effect of SWAP in patients with ocular hypertension (OHT) and open-angle glaucoma (OAG).
- To compare SWAP learning effects between experienced and naive perimetry patients.
Main Methods:
- Experimental study involving 35 patients with OHT/OAG experienced in SAP and 9 OHT patients new to perimetry.
- Patients underwent 5 SWAP sessions over 5 weeks.
- Visual field indices (MD, SF, PSD) and sensitivity changes were analyzed.
Main Results:
- Significant improvements in MD, SF, and PSD over 5 SWAP examinations (P<0.001).
- Greater sensitivity improvement in peripheral compared to central visual fields for OAG patients.
- Substantial inter-patient variability in sensitivity gains.
Conclusions:
- Initial SWAP results in patients with normal SAP fields may reflect inexperience, not true visual field loss.
- Apparent deeper or wider field loss in early SWAP for OAG patients can also stem from inexperience.
