Glaucomatous visual fields. FASTPAC versus full threshold strategy of the Humphrey Field Analyzer

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Visual electrophysiology
• Medical technology

Background:

• Glaucoma diagnosis and monitoring rely on accurate visual field testing.
• The Humphrey Field Analyzer (HFA) is a standard tool for visual field assessment.
• Fast visual field testing strategies aim to reduce patient examination time.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the FASTPAC (fast) strategy with the standard 4/2-dB full threshold strategy on the HFA.
• To evaluate differences in visual field indices, sensitivity values, and examination time between the two strategies in glaucoma patients.

Main Methods:

• Fifty glaucoma patients were tested with both FASTPAC and the standard strategy using HFA program 30-2.
• Global visual field indices, mean sensitivity, and examination duration were compared.
• Point-by-point analysis of sensitivity values was conducted.

Main Results:

• No significant differences were observed in mean sensitivity (MS) or mean deviation (MD) between FASTPAC and the standard strategy.
• FASTPAC demonstrated higher short-term fluctuation (SF) but lower pattern standard deviation (PSD) and corrected PSD (CPSD).
• FASTPAC reduced examination time by over 30% compared to the standard strategy, with strong linear correlations for MS, MD, PSD, and CPSD.

Conclusions:

• FASTPAC significantly reduces testing time in glaucoma patients.
• The increased threshold fluctuation with FASTPAC may pose challenges for detecting subtle visual field defects or changes during follow-up.
• The choice between FASTPAC and the standard strategy involves balancing time efficiency with potential impacts on sensitivity to change.