[Comparison of the Results of the Flicker Perimetry (Prototype versus Commercial Perimeter)]

Background: Analysis of the comparison of flicker perimetry with the prototype Pulsar and the new Octopus 600. Methods: Both eyes of 20 patients with primary open-angle glaucoma were studied with 30° visual field flimmer perimetry (dynamic strategy) at the perimeters Pulsar and Octopus 600 (Haag-Streit). The evaluation was based on the mean defect (MD = mean deviation) and the defect depth (square root of lost variance = sLV). Results: In the t test for paired samples, the Pulsar perimetry showed significantly higher values than the Octopus 600 perimetry: right eye MD 4.8 ± 3.6 src vs. 1.7 ± 2.9 src, p = 0.005; left eye MD 3.9 ± 3.6 src v. 1.4 ± 2.8 src, p = 0.018; both eyes MD 4.35 ± 3.62 src vs. 1.55 ± 2.80 src, p = 0.002. The sLV values with the Pulsar perimetry were significantly higher than the values with the Octopus 600 perimetry: right eye sLV 3.6 ± 1.6 vs. 2.3 ± 1.3 src, p = 0.006; left eye sLV 3.2 ± 0.8 vs. 2.0 ± 0.8 src, p < 0.0001; both eyes sLV 3.37 ± 1.28 src vs. 2.12 ± 1.05 src, p < 0.0001. The significances even persisted after the Bonferroni-Holm correction. Conclusion: The investigation results of flicker perimetry are not comparable, because there is a significant difference in MD and sLV. This mainly due to different light intensities, background brightness and varying colour scalings of the perimetric device.