Statistical aspects of the normal visual field in short-wavelength automated perimetry

To determine the intraindividual and interindividual characteristics of normal sensitivity derived by short-wavelength automated perimetry (SWAP) as a function of threshold algorithm. To determine also the influence of ocular media absorption on the magnitude of the interindividual variation in normal sensitivity, and hence the confidence limits, derived by SWAP.

The sample comprised 51 normal subjects, stratified for age by decade (mean age, 55.5 years; range, 24-83 years) and experienced in white-on-white (W-W) perimetry and SWAP. One randomly assigned eye of each subject was examined on three occasions with Program 30-2 of the 640 Humphrey Field Analyzer using the Full Threshold and FASTPAC strategies for SWAP and W-W perimetries. Ocular media absorption (OMA) was assessed by the difference in scotopic sensitivity to stimuli of 410 and 560 nm.

The group mean examination time (P < 0.001) was greater for SWAP than for W-W perimetry for both the Full Threshold (15.0% longer) and FASTPAC strategies (16.8% longer). The gradient of the age-decline in Mean Sensitivity for SWAP was approximately 25% less steep when corrected for OMA than when uncorrected. The interindividual normal variability, expressed as the coefficient of variation, for SWAP without correction for OMA was 2.7 times greater (range 2.0-3.9), and with correction 1.9 times greater (range 1.4-2.9), than that for W-W perimetry.

The increased interindividual normal variability of SWAP, exacerbated by the lack of correction for OMA, currently limits the utility of SWAP in that the reduction in sensitivity required to indicate abnormality was proportionately greater than for W-W perimetry.