Comparison of structure-function correlation among IMO visual function analyser and Humphrey field analyser

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Medical Technology
• Glaucoma Research

Background:

• Accurate structure-function correlation is crucial for diagnosing and monitoring glaucoma.
• Optical coherence tomography (OCT) provides objective measurements of retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) and ganglion cell-inner plexiform layer (GCIPL) thickness.
• Visual field testing assesses retinal sensitivity, a key functional parameter in glaucoma.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare structure-function correlations between OCT thickness parameters and visual field mean sensitivity (MS) values.
• To evaluate the performance of the IMO visual function analyser (IMOvifa) against the Humphrey field analyser (HFA).

Main Methods:

• Prospective cross-sectional study involving glaucoma suspects, glaucoma, and ocular hypertension patients.
• Simultaneous testing with IMOvifa, HFA, and OCT within 12 weeks.
• Analysis of structure-function correlations using Spearman's rank coefficient and comparison via Steiger's test, based on the Garway-Heath map.

Main Results:

• The IMOvifa demonstrated significantly shorter testing times (3.7 vs 5.3 minutes) and slightly less severe visual field defects compared to HFA.
• Moderate to strong correlations were found between IMOvifa and HFA MS values across sectors (p<0.001).
• IMOvifa showed significant correlations with peripapillary RNFL and macular GCIPL thickness in various sectors, with no significant difference in correlation strength compared to HFA (p≥0.06).

Conclusions:

• The IMOvifa is a faster alternative to HFA for visual field assessment in glaucoma patients.
• Both IMOvifa and HFA exhibit comparable and significant structure-function correlations with OCT parameters.
• Mean sensitivity in all sectors showed moderate to strong correlations, validating the functional assessment of retinal layers.