Does frequency doubling technology perimetry reliably detect neurological visual field defects?

Abstract

Aim To determine the ability of frequency doubling technology (FDT) perimetry to detect visual field defects of neurological origin. Methods A total of 15 eyes of nine patients who all had complete hemianopias or quadrantanopias underwent the FDT 20-5 screening mode test and Humphrey 24-2 SITA Fast visual field test (HFA). The FDT results were scored according to the number of abnormal test locations (out of a maximum of 4) in each affected quadrant. FDT locations showing a defect of Po2% were considered abnormal. Results Of the 15 eyes, six showed complete superior quadrantanopic and nine complete hemianopic field defects on HFA. Of 96 FDT test locations in these quadrants or hemifields only 38 were abnormal on FDT testing (40%). For the quadrantanopic field defects, five out of 24 locations were abnormal (21%). For the hemianopic field defects, 33 out of 72 locations were abnormal (49%). In three eyes (two with quadrantanopias and one with complete hemianopia), FDT perimetry failed to demonstrate any corresponding abnormality. Conclusions The FDT screening test can fail to demonstrate complete hemianopic and quadrantanopic field defects. Users should be aware of this deficiency when using FDT to screen for field defects.

Vision screening of older people

“…Recent developments have led to new rapid methods of screening VF. The best known of these is frequencydoubling perimetry, which compares well with conventional VF testing for the detection of glaucoma (Allen et al, 2002;Tatemichi et al, 2002), but is less effective at detecting rarer VF defects from neurological causes (Fong et al, 2003). However, other relatively simple approaches have also shown promise (Schiefer et al, 1996).…”

“…, 2002; Tatemichi et al. , 2002), but is less effective at detecting rarer VF defects from neurological causes (Fong et al. , 2003).…”

Using frequency-doubling perimetry to detect optic neuropathy in patients with Graves’ orbitopathy

“…When different diagnostic criteria were used, however, sensitivity was much poorer, ranging from 40% to 60%. Fong et al 29 concluded that the FDT screening strategy failed to identify hemianopic and quadrantanopic VF defects in more than half of the 15 eyes studied. Our study, however, indicates that the presence of one abnormal point depressed <5% constitutes a very sensitive and specifi c criterion for the diagnosis of DON.…”

Pituitary macroadenoma: a case report and review

“…29 While the HFA is the gold standard in perimetry, frequency-doubling technology (FDT) is also popular. The first genera-tion FDT perimeter of Welch Allyn was not sufficiently sensitive to reliably detect hemianopic and quadrantopic visual field defects [30][31][32][33] but the second generation FDT perimeter (Humphrey Matrix) has an improved sensitivity. The HFA is still considered more sensitive than the Matrix in detecting neurological hemianopias.…”