Computer Perimetry Rapid TOP Strategy and Normal Threshold Strategy inClinical Practice,Comparability of Results

Overview

Computer perimetry is constantly being developed but still remains a subjectiveexamination method.The patient ´s cooperation plays an important part andtherefore examination strategies are improved to make it possible to obtain themost accurate possible results during the shortest possible examination time.Theauthor presents an account on the comparability of results of rapid TOP strategy (Tendency Oriented Perimetry)and normal threshold strategy with programmeG2 on the perimeter OCTOPUS 101.It involves the retrospective evaluation of 73 visual fields which were divided intofour groups according to the achieved retinal sensitivity during examination withTOP strategy and with normal threshold strategy.The author compared theobtained parameters MD and LV,she compared the sites of defects of retinalsensitivity in both strategies and calculated the time saved by rapid TOP strategy.High comparability was achieved in group 1 with normal retinal sensitivity inboth strategies and also in group 4 with abnormal retinal sensitivity in bothstrategies.In groups 2 and 3 comparability was not proved (group 2 -abnormalretinal sensitivity in TOP and normal retinal sensitivity in normal thresholdstrategy,group 3 normal retinal sensitivity in TOP and abnormal retinal sensitivity in normal threshold strategy).In these groups we may assume a higher ratioof the so-called learning effect or conversely fatigue and poorer cooperation ofthe patients during the lengthy examination by normal threshold strategy.Thelocalization of defects agreed in group 4 in 83.3%and in the other groups it wasnot compared (group 1 practically without defects,in groups 2 and 3 the resultswere not comparable).The total time saved with TOPstrategy was 75.8%,the meanexamination time with TOP strategy was 3 minutes 27 seconds,with normalthreshold strategy 14 minutes 17 seconds.With regard to the significant timesaving the programme G2 with TOP strategy can be considered suitable forpatients with glaucoma,with intraocular hypertension and with suspected glau-coma but it can be also used as a screening method with quantitative results forother situations.

Key words:
computer perimetry,rapid TOP strategy,normal threshold strategy,quantitative results,short examination time