HIGH-SPATIAL-RESOLUTION AUTOMATED PERIMETRY IN GLAUCOMA

Background-Automated perimetry is of fundamental importance in assessi ng visual function in glaucoma, A technique was evaluated to perform h igh spatial resolution automated perimetry to allow a more detailed as sessment of the luminance sensitivity in selected regions of the visua l field than is possible with conventional perimetry. Method-High spat ial resolution perimetry was performed using a Humphrey automated peri meter by measuring luminance sensitivity across a 9 by 9 degree custom grid of 100 test locations with a separation between adjacent locatio ns of 1 degree. Quantitative analysis of the raw and Gaussian filtered thresholds was performed to assess the repeatability of the technique in normals, glaucoma suspects, and glaucoma patients. Results-The res ting protocol was well tolerated by all subjects, High spatial resolut ion perimetry in glaucomatous eyes demonstrated fine luminance sensiti vity loss not suspected with conventional perimetry, High spatial reso lution perimetry also demonstrated reproducible areas of sensitivity l oss in some glaucomatous eyes in areas of the visual field which appea r normal with conventional programmes. The repeatability of she techni que correlated with mean threshold sensitivity and was substantially i mproved to clinically acceptable levels by Gaussian filtering the thre sholds. Conclusion-This technique of high spatial resolution perimetry allows the practical assessment of selected regions of the visual fie ld at higher resolution than conventional perimetry, and may be clinic ally useful in glaucoma.