Detection of visual field defects in pre-perimetric glaucoma using fundus-oriented small-target perimetry

To evaluate the usefulness of automated fundus-oriented small-target perimetry in detecting glaucomatous visual field abnormalities.

One eye from each of 60 normal, 37 pre-perimetric glaucoma (PPG) and 29 early stage of primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) persons were included. The new perimeter had two monitors, one for a campimeter and the other for the examiner's operation. A test area within the central 15° was set in the fundus image. The target size was 2.9 min in diameter, and the distance between the two adjacent targets was 60 min. The rate of negative response (RNR) among the age-matched controls, PPG and POAG were compared. The relationship between the RNR and age of the normal or standard automated perimetry (SAP) global indices in PPG and POAG was examined. The areas under the receiver-operating characteristic curve (AROC) to discriminate PPG or POAG versus normal were determined.

The RNR increased significantly with age in normal and differed significantly (P < 0.001) among control (1.8 ± 1.3 %), PPG (9.2 ± 10.4 %) and POAG (21.2 ± 14.3 %). Significant correlation was found between the RNR and SAP global indices. The AROC was 0.89 for PPG and 0.95 for POAG.

Fundus-oriented small-target perimetry is useful in detecting visual field abnormalities in PPG.