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

The aim of our study was firstly to assess whether areas of capillary non-p erfusion in diabetic retinopathy are associated with reduction of retinal l ight sensitivity and secondly to assess whether automated perimetry can ser ve 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 fluore scein angiography. The results are compared with the 'superimposition techn ique'. In 93.4% of our diabetic eyes (30 from 32) areas of capillary non-perfusion demonstrated by fluorescein angiography were associated with areas of redu ced retinal sensitivity. The correlation between visual field defects and a reas of reduced retinal perfusion was significant with probability more tha n 99% (P<0.01). In view of our findings we recommend automated static perimetry as a very s ensitive method for evaluation of retinal perfusion in diabetic patients.