Clinical significance of red target increment perimetry

Abstract

AbstractPurpose To elucidate the significance of red target increment perimetry in diagnostic and occupational assessmentMethods Red target increment perimetry does not rely on color discrimination but merely on red target detection on a white background. In a retrospective study, ten exemplary cases of congenital and acquired color vision deficiencies are evaluated by kinetic, static and microperimetric techniquesResults Daltonism: Red brightness loss is common to protan observers. In marked protanomaly and protanopia severe constriction of red target field is a rule; i.e. within the peripheral visual field of protan observers red objects may remain entirely undetected. Female carriers of protan defects: Red target fields may show constriction to variable extent, but less pronounced than in male protan observers. Rod monochromacy: Since rhodopsin is virtually unable to absorb red light, red target fields are entirely lacking. Stargardt’s disease and cone dystrophies: Red target fields are affected earlier and more pronounced than standard white fields. Central serous retinopathy: Red desaturation and red brightness loss are common findings on confrontation testing. Scotomas are detected on microperimetry by red targets while white stimuli still fail to pick up pathology. CAR: Cancer associated retinopathy: Compared to RP, in CAR the cone system shows more involvement. CAR scotomas show up more distinctly in red than in white perimetry.Conclusion In congenital protan defects, red target increment fields have a significant bearing on occupational demands. In various retinal diseases, field defects for red target increments exceed those for white targets and so, may contribute to early diagnosis.