Static Automated Perimetry Research Articles

Agreement Between Virtual Reality Perimetry and Static Automated Perimetry in Various Neuro-Ophthalmological Conditions: A Pilot Study

ABSTRACT Our objective was to compare the agreement between virtual reality perimetry (VRP) (order of magnitude, OM) and static automated perimetry (SAP) in various neuro-ophthalmological conditions. We carried out a retrospective analysis of visual field plots of patients with various neuro-ophthalmological conditions who underwent visual field testing using VRP and SAP and between 1 January and 31 May 2022. Two fellowship-trained neuro-ophthalmologists compared the visual field defects observed on both devices. Per cent agreement was used to compare the interpretation of the two examiners on both techniques. The study criteria were met by 160 eyes from 148 patients (mean age 44 years, range 17–74 years). The most common aetiologies were optic atrophy due to various causes, optic neuritis, ischaemic optic neuropathy, and compressive optic neuropathy. Overall, we found good agreement between VRP and SAP for bitemporal (93.8%), hemianopic (90.8%), altitudinal (79.4%), and generalised visual field defects (86.4%). The agreement was acceptable for central/centrocaecal scotomas and not acceptable for enlarged blind spots. Between the two examiners there was good agreement for bitemporal (92.3%), hemianopic (82%), altitudinal (83%), and generalised field defects (76.4%). The results of our study suggest that VRP gives overall good agreement with SAP in various neuro-ophthalmological conditions, especially those likely to produce hemianopic, altitudinal, and generalised visual field defects. This could be useful in various settings; however, future larger studies are needed to explore real-world utilisation.

Multifocal visual evoked potential for evaluation of open-angle glaucoma.

To correlate multifocal visual evoked potential (mfVEP) findings with static automated perimetry (SAP) and spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) in eyes with primary open- angle glaucoma (POAG). This cross-sectional study included a consecutive sample of 40 eyes of 40 patients with POAG. The participants underwent a complete ophthalmologic assessment, axial length (AL) measurement, and assessments with SAP, SD-OCT, and mfVEP. POAG cases were aged 49.70 (14.16) years (mean [SD]) and most were females (n = 24, 60%). For eyes of patients with POAG, the mfVEP upper-ring signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) showed a significant negative correlation with best-corrected logMAR visual acuity (r = - 0.33; P = 0.038), and a significant positive correlation with the superior hemifield of the visual field (VF) and the inferior-quadrant retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness (r = + 0.34; P = 0.030; r = + 0.51; P < 0.001, respectively). Similarly, the mfVEP lower-ring SNR showed a significant negative correlation with best-corrected logMAR visual acuity (r = - 0.36; P = 0.024) and a significant positive correlation with the inferior hemifield of the VF and superior quadrant RNFL thickness (r = + 0.55; P < 0.001 and r = + 0.70; P < 0.001, respectively). mfVEP is a promising tool for objective assessment of the VF in patients with POAG, as it is positively correlated with the VF and OCT RNFL thickness. Future longitudinal studies with a larger sample size and a specific glaucoma subtype, along with multiple follow-up evaluations, are warranted to confirm our preliminary results.

Periphery kinetic perimetry: clinically feasible to complement central static perimetry

BackgroundExisting evidence suggests that visual field defect in eyes with glaucoma significantly varies between individuals. The following study compared the central visual field defects with the peripheral visual field defects in patients with suspect glaucoma and primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) and investigated whether using the central visual field test alone could result in loss of clinically valuable information.MethodsIn this prospective observational study, 167 eyes from 89 patients with suspect glaucoma or POAG were first examined with static automated perimetry (SAP), followed by a peripheral visual field test on Octopus 900 perimeter (Haag-Streit, Koeniz, Switzerland). The peripheral visual field test was performed by “Auto Kinetic Perimetry” program, in which Goldmann III4e stimuli randomly moved along 16 vectors at a constant angular velocity of 5 deg/s.ResultsGlaucomatous peripheral visual field defects were seen in 18% of the eyes with a normal central visual field. In addition, 86% of glaucoma patients with moderate-to-severe central visual field defects had corresponding peripheral visual field defects in the form of localized or diffuse depression of the isopters. Furthermore, a moderate correlation was found between the central and peripheral visual fields. The median test duration was 71 s for the peripheral test and 803 s for the central test (p < 0.001).ConclusionsOur study demonstrated the diversity of glaucomatous visual field defects, as well as the possibility of losing the clinically valuable information due to focusing on the central visual field test alone. The peripheral kinetic perimetry is clinically feasible to complement the central static perimetry for a comprehensive assessment of visual function in glaucoma patients.

Disease expression caused by different variants in the BEST1 gene: genotype and phenotype findings in bestrophinopathies.

Purpose:To analyse the spectrum of clinical features and molecular genetic data in a series of patients carrying likely disease-associated variants in the BEST1 gene.Methods:Retrospective observational analysis of clinical data extracted from the medical records of visual function, multimodal imaging and electrophysiology of 62 eyes of 31 patients. Molecular genetic analysis was performed by means of panel-based NGS or Sanger sequencing.Results:The spectrum of variants in the BEST1 gene comprised 19 different variants and three of which are novel. Fundus photographs and OCT images allowed categorization of 52 eyes as Best vitelliform macular dystrophy (BVMD) with stages 1 to 5 and 10 eyes with autosomal recessive bestrophinopathy (ARB), with more severe phenotype. One patient was shown to be heterozygous for a variant, which has so far been described only in ARB, but this patient had the BVMD phenotype. There was no significant progression of the visual acuity during the follow-up period of 5 years both in BVMD and ARB. The most prevalent pattern of fundus autofluorescence (FAF) in BVMD was ‘patchy’. There were diverse visual field defects in static automated perimetry (SAP) depending on the stage. The Arden ratio was significantly lower in ARB patients and in eyes with stage 5 of BVMD.Conclusions:The genotype does not always predict the phenotype in patients with BVMD and ARB; however, having two mutations in the BEST1 gene causes a more severephenotype. FAFhelped to distinguish ARB from BVMD. Most of the observed eyesdidnotprogressfunctionallyduringthefollow-up.ARBandtheatrophicstageof BVMD as the disease end-stage had the worst visual functions and EOG results.

PUPIL VISUAL TRACKING ALGORITHMS FOR AUTOMATED STATIC PERIMETRY SYSTEMS

Abstract. Some diseases, for instance, a glaucoma, cause visual field defects. For the timely diagnostics of such defects, various methods are used. One of the state-of-the-art diagnostic methods is automated static perimetry. The method of static perimetry consists in the light sensitivity determination in different parts of the visual field using stationary objects of variable luminosity. When scanning the visual field in this way, an important factor is the control of gaze fixation at the fixation point. The greatest accuracy in determining the gaze fixation position is achieved by the method of the pupil visual tracking using a video camera.In this paper, four groups of visual tracking algorithms are considered: segmentation-based methods, correlation methods, methods based on optical flow and on weighted average. An experimental comparison of these methods was carried out using the base of video recordings obtained in the automatic static perimetry apparatus. On these videos the ground truth tracks of pupil were marked. The comparison was conducted according to two criteria: center location error and tracking length. It is shown that only the weighted average method has an acceptable tracking length.

Kinetic and static perimetry after 16 years and additional OCT-A analysis in eyes with long-lasting optic disc drusen.

The aim of the study is to evaluate the progression of visual field (VF) defects over 16 years of observation and to assess abnormalities in vessels and retinal nerve fibre layer (RNFL) thickness in patients with optic disc drusen (ODD). Both static automated perimetry (SAP) and semi-automated kinetic perimetry (SKP) were performed in 16 eyes of 8 patients (mean age 54 years) with ODD among 26 eyes of 13 patients examined 16 years before. The area of I2e, I4e, III4e, and V4e isopters was measured in deg2. The MD and PSD parameters were estimated using SAP. Optical coherence tomography angiography (OCT-A) was additionally performed in 16 ODD eyes and 16 eyes of 8 healthy subjects to estimate the RNFL thickness and vessel density of the optic nerve disc and the macula. The differences in all isopter areas of SKP and SAP parameters after 16 years were not significant. The analysis of OCT-A showed a significant reduction of the vessel density and RNFL of the peripapillary area in each segment in patients with ODD, compared with the control group. The highest reduction of RNFL was observed in the superior segment of the optic disc area (92.56μm vs 126.63μm) also the macular thickness was decreased in ODD patients, compared with the control group. In the macula, there was a significant vascular defect in the whole superficial layer and in the parafoveal deep layer. A strong significant correlation of the parafoveal deep plexus with MD and PSD parameters was detected. In conclusion, VF loss due to ODD after 16 years of the follow-up was not significant both in SKP and SAP. ODD caused a reduced vessel density and RNFL, as well as macular thickness in OCT-A. SAP parameters were influenced by parafoveal deep plexus.

Место бримонидина в аддитивной терапии развитой стадии глаукомы

Aim: to assess the utility of brimonidine 0.2% as an additional IOP-lowering treatment for moderate glaucoma. Patients and Methods: 99 patients (121 eyes) aged 62–73 years with moderate glaucoma were enrolled. All patients were divided into four groups based on IOP-lowering medications. In group 1, prostaglandin analogues (latanoprost) and beta blockers (timolol) were prescribed. In group 2, carbonic anhydrase inhibitors (dorzolamide) and beta blockers (timolol) were prescribed. In group 3, brimonidine 0.2% was added to prostaglandin analogues and beta blockers. In group 4, brimonidine 0.2% was added to carbonic anhydrase inhibitors and beta blockers. All patients underwent IOP measurements and static automated perimetry (SAP) at baseline and after 6 and 12 months. Results: additional treatment (brimonidine) gradually reduced IOP levels in groups 3 and 4, while in groups 1 and 2 IOP levels were stable. In group 1, mean deviation (MD) increased from -10.7±4.5dB to -10.8±3.8 dB after 6 months but reduced to -10.5±3.4 dB after 12 months. In group 2, MD increased from -11.7±5.1 dB to -12.0±3.2 dB after 6 months and -12.5±2.9 dB after 12 months. In group 3, MD reduced from -13.5±4.1 dB to -12.9±3.6 dB after 6 months and -12.7±3.0 dB after 12 months. In group 4, MD reduced from -13.9±4.6 dB to -13.0±4.1 dB after 6 months and increased to -13.1±3.5 dB after 12 months. Pattern standard deviation (PSD) was stable in all four groups. Conclusion: brimonidine as an additional treatment for moderate and advanced glaucoma results in stable IOP reduction. Combined therapy which includes brimonidine preserves visual functions even in moderate-to-advanced glaucoma. The neuroprotective effect of brimonidine is illustrated by SAP. This medication is well tolerated. Keywords: glaucoma, IOP, visual field, perimetry, tonometry, neuroprotection. For citation: Gazizova I.R., Korelina V.E. Brimonidine as an additional treatment for moderate glaucoma. Russian Journal of Clinical Ophthalmology. 2021;21(2):69–71. DOI: 10.32364/2311-7729-2021-21-2-69-71.

Retrograde degeneration of visual pathway

Optical coherence tomography (OCT) gives the opportunity to examine retrograde degeneration of visual pathway damaged at various levels. To estimate OCT data on retrograde degeneration of visual pathway damaged at various levels. Ganglion cell layer (GCL) thickness was measured by OCT in 79 patients with visual pathway damaged at various levels and known duration of visual disturbances. Twenty-One patients were diagnosed with traumatic lesions of the optic nerves and/or chiasma. Fifty-eight patients had retro-genicular visual pathway damage. Thirty-three patients were examined for postoperative homonymous hemianopia after surgery for drug-resistant temporal lobe epilepsy. Twenty-five patients were diagnosed with occipital lobe damage following stroke (12 patients), surgery for arteriovenous malformation (11 patients) and traumatic brain injury (2 patients). All patients underwent assessment of visual acuity, automatic static perimetry, MRI/CT of the brain. Retinal ganglion cell complex was analyzed during OCT. GCL thinning following anterior visual pathway damage was detected in 20 out of 21 patients after ≥22 days. In case of post-genicular visual pathway damage, GCL thinning was found in 25 out of 58 patients (9 out of 33 ones after surgery for temporal lobe epilepsy and 16 out of 25 patients with occipital lobe lesion). After surgery for temporal lobe epilepsy, minimum period until GCL thinning detection after previous visual pathway damage was 3 months, in case of occipital lobe lesion - 5 months. Retrograde visual pathway degeneration is followed by GCL thinning and depends on the level of visual pathway lesion.

Improvements in Test-Retest Variability of Static Automated Perimetry by Censoring Results With Low Sensitivity in Retinitis Pigmentosa.

PurposeWe evaluated whether omitting (censoring) points in more severely damaged visual field areas can reduce test–retest variability of static automated perimetry (SAP) in retinitis pigmentosa (RP), as variability creates a significant challenge when monitoring for changes.MethodsCohort 1 included 27 eyes in 16 RP subjects with visual acuity (VA) ranging from 20/20 to 20/70 who completed Humphrey 10-2 size III SAP, once per visit at three visits. Cohort 2 included 15 eyes in nine RP subjects with VA ≤ 20/60 who completed Humphrey 30-2 size V SAP, twice per visit at three visits. Variability was assessed using 95% coefficient of repeatability (CR) calculations for uncensored (all threshold values and data points included) and censored data.ResultsIn cohort 1, the uncensored between-visit 95% CR was 11.6 decibels (dB); censoring locations with threshold values of <8 to 20 dB resulted in 31% to 53% reductions in the 95% CR. For cohort 2, uncensored 95% CRs were 8.7 and 8.0 dB for within- and between-visit variability, respectively; censoring <8 to 17 dB resulted in 15% to 41% and 15% to 43% reductions in within-visit and between-visit 95% CRs, respectively. For both cohorts, censoring at higher values yielded slightly less variability, at the expense of discarding data from a greater number of eyes and test locations.ConclusionsFor 20/20 to 20/70 VA tested with size III stimuli, censoring lower sensitivity values results in substantially lower test–retest variability, which may help detect true changes for locations without severe baseline loss.Translational RelevanceA rule of thumb for clinical practices using SAP to monitor RP is that longitudinal losses of >9 dB for individual test locations with initial values ≥ 9 dB are likely to be real and meaningful, as they exceed typical variability.

Retinal microvasculature in pituitary adenoma patients: is optical coherence tomography angiography useful?

To examine retinal vascular changes in the peripapillary and macular areas in patients with pituitary adenoma (PA) using optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA). Cross-sectional, retrospective study of 17 consecutive PA patients and 16 healthy subjects. All patients underwent a neuro-ophthalmological examination to assess the presence of optic neuropathy (ON). Static automated perimetry (SAP), macular and optic disc structural OCT [retinal nerve fibre layer (RNFL) and ganglion cell complex (GCC) thicknesses] and OCTA were performed. Pituitary adenoma (PA) patients with ON were compared to those without ON and to healthy subjects. Optic neuropathy (ON) was found in 16 eyes of nine PA patients. Peripapillary vessel density (ppVD) and macular vessel density (VD) in the superficial vascular plexus were significantly decreased in PA eyes with ON, compared to healthy eyes (45.21±5.69 versus 50.52±2.14% and 43.79±5.03% versus 48.96±2.94%, respectively). No significant difference in VD was observed in the macular deep vascular complex (DVC) between groups. Pituitary adenoma (PA) patients with ON had a mean ppVD reduction by 10.51% compared to healthy subjects. RNFL and GCC thicknesses were significantly reduced in PA eyes with ON compared to the other groups. Peripapillary VD (ppVD) significantly correlated with RNFL thickness and SAP mean deviation. Optical coherence tomography angiography showed a significant decrease in ppVD and superficial macular VD in PA eyes with ON compared to healthy eyes, according to RNFL and GCC thinning. Together with the absence of DVC alterations, it may provide further insights into neurovascular coupling.

Preoperative visual evoked potential in the prediction of visual outcome after pituitary macroadenomas surgery.

The purpose of the present study is to investigate longitudinal changes in Visual evoked potential (VEP) parameters as an objective test after transsphenoidal surgery, its correlation with subjective tests and clinical value of VEP in the prediction of visual outcome. Fifty patients with pituitary macroadenoma who underwent surgical removal of the tumor recruited in this study. All the patients underwent ophthalmic examination, static automated perimetry (SAP), VEP and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) preoperatively and 3months after surgery. Fifty patients with pituitary macroadenoma (size: 25.1 ± 9.9mm) were recruited in the study. Before surgery, the pattern of VEP showed a prolonged latency with reduced amplitude in eyes with abnormal visual acuity or abnormal visual field. The P100 wave latencies and amplitudes showed significant correlation with visual acuity and SAP scores. After surgery, visual acuity and visual field improvements were seen in 51% and 65.6% of eyes, respectively. Mean SAP and visual acuity scores increased significantly (p < 0.01), P100 wave latency declined and amplitude improved after surgery but not significantly. The mean age of patients, size of tumors and preoperative P100 wave latency were significantly lower in eyes with visual field and acuity improvement. VEP is a helpful quantitative and objective complementary test to visual acuity and SAP exams for assessing pre-operative visual abnormalities and post-operative visual outcome in patients with pituitary macroadenoma.

Prediction Accuracy of the Dynamic Structure-Function Model for Glaucoma Progression Using Contrast Sensitivity Perimetry and Confocal Scanning Laser Ophthalmoscopy.

The purpose of this study was to determine whether combining a structural measure with contrast sensitivity perimetry (CSP), which has lower test-retest variability than static automated perimetry (SAP), reduces prediction error with 2 models of glaucoma progression. In this retrospective analysis, eyes with 5 visits with rim area (RA), SAP, and CSP measures were selected from 2 datasets. Twenty-six eyes with open-angle glaucoma were included in the analyses. For CSP and SAP, mean sensitivity (MS) was obtained by converting the sensitivity values at each location from decibel (SAP) or log units (CSP) to linear units, and then averaging all values. MS and RA values were expressed as percent of mean normal based on independent normative data. Data from the first 3 and 4 visits were used to calculate errors in prediction for the fourth and fifth visits, respectively. Prediction errors were obtained for simple linear regression and the dynamic structure-function (DSF) model. With linear regression, the median prediction errors ranged from 6% to 17% when SAP MS and RA were used and from 9% to 17% when CSP MS and RA were used. With the DSF model, the median prediction errors ranged from 6% to 11% when SAP MS and RA were used and from 7% to 16% when CSP MS and RA were used. The DSF model had consistently lower prediction errors than simple linear regression. The lower test-retest variability of CSP in glaucomatous defects did not, however, result in lower prediction error.

Central scotoma in tobacco-alcohol toxic optic neuropathy measured with semi-automated kinetic perimetry

Purpose: To measure the area of central scotoma obtained with semi-automated kinetic perimetry (SKP) in patients suffering from tobacco-alcohol toxic neuropathy (TATN).Methods: Twelve eyes of six patients with TATN were examined with SKP. Area of central scotoma was measured in square degrees (deg2). Additionally, static automated perimetry (SAP) within 60° was performed in each patient.Results: Area of central scotoma was 41.8 deg2 for III4e isopter, 22.9 deg2 for I4e isopter and 16.1 deg2 for I2e isopter in TATN patients. SAP revealed central scotoma in all patients. There was 100% of accordance between two methods.Conclusion: SKP is comparable with SAP in assessing central scotoma. SKP offers advantage of measuring central scotoma and assessing remaining peripheral visual field in TATN, even with low incidence and prevalence of this clinical entity.

Analysis of Visual Field Defects Obtained with Semiautomated Kinetic Perimetry in Patients with Leber Hereditary Optic Neuropathy.

Purpose To analyse visual field (VF) defects obtained using semiautomated kinetic perimetry (SKP) in patients suffering from Leber hereditary optic neuropathy (LHON). Methods Twenty-two eyes of eleven consecutive LHON male patients with confirmed mitochondrial 11778G>A DNA mutation were prospectively examined with the V4e stimulus of SKP in both eyes. The mean time after the onset of LHON was one year. The area of obtained isopters was measured in square degrees (deg2). Additionally, static automated perimetry (SAP) within 30° was performed. Results Visual acuity ranged from counting fingers to 50 cm to 0.4. VFs obtained with SKP showed central scotomas in 18 eyes (82%); the periphery of the VF in these eyes remained intact. The mean area of central scotoma was 408.8 deg2, and the mean area of the peripheral VF was 12291.1 deg2; SAP also revealed central scotoma in these patients. In four eyes (18%) with the worst visual acuity, only the residual central island of VF was found using SKP (mean area 898.4 deg2). SAP was difficult to obtain in these patients. Conclusions SKP provides additional clinical information in regard to the visual function of LHON patients. SKP enables the quantification of the area of central scotoma, preserved peripheral VF, and residual central island of vision. Using V4 stimulus is especially useful in LHON patients with poor visual acuity, when SAP is difficult to obtain.

Reclaiming the Periphery: Automated Kinetic Perimetry for Measuring Peripheral Visual Fields in Patients With Glaucoma.

Peripheral vision is important for mobility, balance, and guidance of attention, but standard perimetry examines only <20% of the entire visual field. We report on the relation between central and peripheral visual field damage, and on retest variability, with a simple approach for automated kinetic perimetry (AKP) of the peripheral field. Thirty patients with glaucoma (median age 68, range 59-83 years; median Mean Deviation -8.0, range -16.3-0.1 dB) performed AKP and static automated perimetry (SAP) (German Adaptive Threshold Estimation strategy, 24-2 test). Automated kinetic perimetry consisted of a fully automated measurement of a single isopter (III.1.e). Central and peripheral visual fields were measured twice on the same day. Peripheral and central visual fields were only moderately related (Spearman's ρ, 0.51). Approximately 90% of test-retest differences in mean isopter radius were < ±4 deg. Relative to the range of measurements in this sample, the retest variability of AKP was similar to that of SAP. Patients with similar central visual field loss can have strikingly different peripheral visual fields, and therefore measuring the peripheral visual field may add clinically valuable information.

Visual Field Testing in Pediatric Patients

Diseases that affect vision in pediatric patients may impair central vision (i.e., 20/20 vision) or may affect peripheral or side vision. Although there are established quantitative methods to accurately evaluate central vision throughout childhood, methods of quantifiable peripheral vision or visual field testing are more limited. Some children may be unable to cooperate or understand the methodology of conventional techniques such as automatic static perimetry used in adult patients. Despite this limitation, assessment of visual fields in pediatric patients is clinically relevant in many ophthalmologic and neurologic disease processes that affect children. The purpose of this paper is to review recent literature that examines the feasibility for formal visual field analysis in children and to provide a summary of recent efforts to develop visual field analysis tools for infants, toddlers, and children who are otherwise unable to participate using conventional visual field techniques.

Semi-automated kinetic perimetry provides additional information to static automated perimetry in the assessment of the remaining visual field in end-stage glaucoma.

To test the hypothesis whether semi-automated kinetic perimetry (SKP) provides additional information to static automated perimetry (SAP) in the assessment of the remaining visual field in end-stage glaucoma, as defined by disc appearance (cup-to-disc ratio worse than 0.9) and SAP criteria (MD worse than 20dB). Fifty eyes of 44 patients presenting with end-stage glaucoma were examined first with SAP within the central 30° using stimulus size III, followed by SKP within 90° using test targets III4e and V4e. Overall, SKP provided additional information over SAP in more than half (54%) of the cases. In 16 instances (32%), SKP revealed visual field island beyond 30° that was undetected by SAP. In eight cases (16%), SKP showed both a central island and peripheral island of visual field. In three cases (6%) altitudinal scotomatous loss was found using SKP, but not in SAP. In 23 cases (46%) the central visual field island was defined both with SAP and SKP. The mean examination duration was 4min for SAP and 9min for SKP. In clinical practice, SKP with III4e and V4e test targets provides more information than 30° SAP regarding the remaining peripheral VF in patients with end-stage glaucoma; however, a longer test time is required for SKP.

Psychophysical effects of RGC damage: What tests could we use clinically?

AbstractVisual field sensitivity is measured clinically in the investigation of retinal conditions such as glaucoma. It is also the primary functional endpoint in many clinical trials in ophthalmology. Since the introduction of the gold standard visual field test, Static Automated Perimetry (SAP), over 30 years ago, a great deal more has been learned about biological changes in the retina in eye disease, particularly in the retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) from cat, primate and rodent models, with many recent studies pointing towards pre‐morbid degenerative events in these cells. There is also growing psychophysical evidence of enlarged RGC receptive fields in conditions such as glaucoma, before detection of damage by SAP. This has renewed interest in the design of functional tests that are capable of detecting subtle changes in the retina in early disease, in the hope that early visual loss can be halted or even reversed. The optimum visual field test is one that is sensitive to pre‐morbid biological changes in the retina with minimal measurement variability and a large measurement range. This test should be applicable to a wide range of diseases that are characterised by RGC damage.

Independent patterns of damage to retinocortical pathways in multiple sclerosis without a previous episode of optic neuritis

Asymptomatic visual loss is a feature of multiple sclerosis (MS) but its relative impact on distinct retinocortical pathways is still unclear. The goal of this work was to investigate patterns of subclinical visual impairment in patients with MS with and without clinically associated previous optic neuritis (ON). We have used functional methods that assess parvo-, konio- and magnocellular pathways in order to compare pathophysiological mechanisms of damage in a population of 44 subjects with MS (87 eyes), with and without a previous episode of ON. These methods included chromatic contrast sensitivity across multiple chromatic axes (Cambridge Colour Test-parvo/konio pathways), perimetric achromatic contrast sensitivity for the magno pathway [frequency doubling technique (FDT)] and pattern visual evoked potentials (VEP). These measures were correlated with field sensitivity measures obtained using conventional automated static perimetry (ASP) and were also compared with conventional clinical chromatic/achromatic contrast sensitivity chart-based measures. We have found evidence for uncorrelated damage of all retinocortical pathways only in patients with MS without ON. VEP evidence for axonal damage was found in this group supporting the emerging notion of axonal damage even in sub-clinical stages of ON/MS pathophysiology. Only in this group was significant correlation of functional measures with disease stage observed, suggesting that distinct pathophysiological milestones are present before and after ON has occurred.

Importância da perimetria manual cinética na avaliação de pacientes com glaucoma avançado

PURPOSE: To evaluate the importance of Goldmann manual kinetic perimetry (MKP) in glaucomatous patients with advanced visual field loss in automated static perimetry (ASP) with Humphrey perimeter (HP). METHODS: The MKP with Goldmann perimeter (GP) was performed in patients with advanced primary open angle glaucoma with advanced visual field defect in the ASP with HP. A qualitative analysis was realized on the visual field extension in the Goldmann perimetry of these patients. RESULTS: The results are illustrated in a qualitative [...]