Influence of refractive correction on peripheral visual field in static perimetry

Purpose: To determine the influence of refractive errors on peripheral visu al field thresholds in automated static perimetry. Methods: In 47 subjects (age 16-49 years), the difference of perimetric thresholds was tested in th e peripheral visual field without and with contact lens correction, using a custom-made program (Goldmann stimulus size III) with the automated perime ter Octopus 2000 R. Refractive errors ranged from -16.75 to +12.5 diopters. Sixty-four test locations on three concentric rings between 30 degrees and 50 degrees in 19 hyperopic and 28 myopic eyes were tested. Results: All ri ngs in myopic eyes revealed a significant influence of refraction on the di fferential light sensitivity in the peripheral visual field. In hyperopic e yes only the inner ring showed a significant influence of refraction. The d ecrease in sensitivity, measured in dB/diopter, for the myopic inner ring w as 0.75; for the myopic middle ring it was 0.46; for the myopic outer ring it was 0.22; and for the hyperopic inner ring it was 0.40. Conclusions: A s ignificant association between refractive errors and differential light sen sitivity exists in the peripheral visual field of myopic eyes. Therefore, c ontact lens wear is recommended when performing automated perimetry of the peripheral visual field of myopic patients with higher refractive errors.