Pupillomotor campimetry in normals

Abstract

The pupillary light reaction is closely related to retinal function and the integrity of the visual pathway. Thus, pupil perimetry may be a useful tool to objectively assess a patient’s visual field function. To judge a patient’s ‘pupil field’ as pathological, it is necessary to know if there are any asymmetries in the pupil field of a normal. To cope with stray light problems, we presented stimuli of low intensity on a dim computer monitor. Within the central 20° field, we performed computerized infrared pupil campimetry in 43 normal subjects. Stimuli were presented on a monitor at a distance of 30 cm. We ran four trials using a grid with 15 test spots for each eye. Stimulus luminance was 54 cd/m 2 in low mesopic conditions, spot size was 2° to 3° (depending on the individual sensitivity), and stimulus duration was 200 ms. Pupillomotor sensitivity decreased from the central retina to the periphery. The nasal retina gave larger amplitudes than the temporal retina. The inferior retina was more sensitive than the superior retina. These asymmetries were subtle, but significant. The nasal inferior retina was the most sensitive area, the temporal superior retina the least sensitive. We obtained reliable results in pupillomotor campimetry using a low stimulus intensity. There are asymmetries in the pupillomotor sensitivity of the normal central retina which must be considered when pupil perimetry is performed in patients.