Automated static perimetry as a screening method for evaluation of retinal perfusion in diabetic retinopathy

The aim of our study was firstly to assess whether areas of capillary non-perfusion in diabetic retinopathy are associated with reduction of retinal light sensitivity and secondly to assess whether automated perimetry can serve as a screening method for evaluation of retinal perfusion. 32 eyes with diabetic retinopathy and 30 eyes of controls underwent visual field testing on the 30-2 program of the Humphrey field analyser and fluorescein angiography. The results are compared with the 'superimposition technique'. In 93.4% of our diabetic eyes (30 from 32) areas of capillary non-perfusion demonstrated by fluorescein angiography were associated with areas of reduced retinal sensitivity. The correlation between visual field defects and areas of reduced retinal perfusion was significant with probability more than 99% (P<0.01). In view of our findings we recommend automated static perimetry as a very sensitive method for evaluation of retinal perfusion in diabetic patients.