Automated visual field screening in the flying Dutch population

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Aerospace Medicine
• Medical Technology

Background:

• Visual field integrity is critical for aviation safety.
• Mass screening for visual field defects using conventional methods is impractical.
• Automated perimetry offers a potential solution for efficient visual field assessment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the results of automated perimetry in a large cohort.
• To determine the prevalence of visual field defects in a general population sample.
• To assess the reliability of automated perimetry compared to kinetic perimetry.

Main Methods:

• Automated perimetry (Fieldmaster 200, Synemed) was performed on 1,000 subjects.
• Results were compared with established kinetic perimetry techniques.
• Data analysis focused on identifying and categorizing visual field defects.

Main Results:

• A serious visual field defect was detected in 1.7% (17 subjects) of the cohort.
• Nonspecific visual field defects were found in 0.9% (9 subjects).
• Automated perimetry demonstrated reliable results comparable to kinetic perimetry.

Conclusions:

• Automated perimetry is a reliable and efficient tool for visual field testing.
• The high prevalence of defects warrants consideration for its use in aviation screening.
• Automated perimetry testing should be implemented for mass visual field screening in aviation.