Evaluation of a new threshold visual field strategy, SITA, in normal subjects. Swedish Interactive Thresholding...

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Medical Technology
• Visual Science

Background:

• Computerized perimetry is essential for diagnosing and monitoring visual field defects.
• Existing perimetry strategies vary in speed and test quality.
• There is a continuous need for more efficient and accurate visual field testing methods.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate a new family of test algorithms for computerized perimetry in normal subjects.
• To compare the performance of the new SITA strategy against established Full Threshold and Fastpac strategies.
• To assess test time, stimulus exposures, test-retest variability, and threshold estimates.

Main Methods:

• Twenty normal subjects were tested twice with SITA, Full Threshold, and Fastpac strategies on the Humphrey perimeter.
• Test times and the number of stimulus exposures were recorded.
• Test-retest variability and threshold levels were calculated and compared across strategies.

Main Results:

• SITA strategy demonstrated the shortest average test times (6.14 minutes), significantly faster than Full Threshold and Fastpac.
• SITA required fewer stimulus exposures than Full Threshold but more than Fastpac.
• SITA exhibited significantly lower test-retest variability compared to Fastpac and comparable variability to Full Threshold.

Conclusions:

• The new SITA algorithm effectively shortens computerized perimetry test times.
• Advanced algorithms utilizing real-time visual field models enhance testing efficiency.
• The SITA strategy achieves comparable or superior test quality to current standard methods.