Studying the role of 10-2 visual field test in different stages of glaucoma

To assess the role of 10-2 visual field (VF) test in different stages of glaucoma.

In our prospective comparative study, 24-2 and 10-2 VF tests were done for 115 eyes with different stages of glaucomatous damage or glaucoma suspects. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) was performed in 79 eyes. We compared field changes of the central 10° on 10-2 and 24-2 tests and studied the correlation between the mean deviation (MD) measured by the two tests.

In seven glaucoma suspects, glaucoma diagnosis was missed by 24-2 test but was detected by 10-2 test and confirmed by OCT. In the eyes with early damage, there was no correlation between 10-2 and 24-2 tests regarding the MD of the central 10º. In moderate and severe stages, there was a significant correlation between the results of 24-2 and 10-2 tests.

We concluded that 10-2 test could help confirm glaucoma diagnosis in glaucoma suspects missed by 24-2 test before resorting to the more expensive OCT. In early glaucoma, we noted that 10-2, as confirmed by OCT, was a beneficial addition to 24-2 test for precise measurement of the MD and detection of defects of the central 10º missed by 24-2 test, where more intense treatment should be considered to preserve the threatened central visual function. In moderate and severe cases, the role of 10-2 test was not as pivotal as in early cases, but still it was useful for assessment of residual central visual function in severe cases with absolute central 10º defects on 24-2 test for proper management.