EVALUATION OF FASTPAC - A NEW STRATEGY FOR THRESHOLD ESTIMATION WITH THE HUMPHREY FIELD ANALYZER

A new strategy for threshold estimation, FASTPAC, has been introduced for the Humphrey Field Analyser with the aim of improving the efficien cy of visual field examination without loss of accuracy. FASTPAC was c ompared to the standard 4-2 double staircase strategy in 98 normal vol unteers (age 23-83 years). One eye of each subject was examined with b oth strategies on two visits using Program 30-2. The order of strategy was randomized. FASTPAC examination time was 43% faster than the stan dard algorithm, but the mean sensitivities were similar. Short-term fl uctuation was 24% higher with FASTPAC (P<0.001). Most parameters were adversely affected by increasing age. FASTPAC offers a valid alternati ve to the standard strategy in the examination of suspected normal fie lds and should always be considered as an alternative to the threshold -related screening strategies. The performance of the algorithm in the identification of field loss and in areas of reduced sensitivity awai ts further study.