The full-field flicker test in glaucomas: influence of intraocular pressure and pattern of visual field losses

Abstract

Significantly reduced TCS in patients with early diffuse perimetric losses as well as in those showing localized visual field defects indicates that localized damages can be associated with general deterioration of the ability to perceive flickering stimuli. Thus, this flicker test can be performed in a full-field bowl with no need for fixation. Considering its other clinical qualities (photopic conditions, low influence of prevailing intraocular pressure and media opacity) the test may be a useful, convenient supplementary procedure in glaucoma screening.

Psychophysics, reliability, and norm values for temporal contrast sensitivity implemented on the two alternative forced choice C-Quant device

“…5 and 6). This is in agreement with other studies testing the potential effects of optical disturbances on the outcome of flicker tests: comparing normal individuals and individuals with media opacities, such as cataract, 10,11 comparing before and after cataract extraction, 9,35 and comparing differences in refraction correction. 35 Several (flicker) perimetry studies show systematical variation between measurements and it is suggested that these are learning and fatigue effects.…”

“…5, 10-16, 21-23, 40-43 It has been suggested that flicker sensitivity may help to detect early glaucoma and should therefore be part of routine testing. [10][11][12] Flicker sensitivity is also discriminative for ARM, the early stage of which is thought to reduce sensitivity in the mid-frequency range. 16,[41][42][43] Furthermore, also in RP reduced temporal contrast sensitivity is observed.…”

“…[7][8][9] Flicker sensitivity or temporal contrast sensitivity (TCS) testing is a relatively easy technique. [10][11][12][13][14][15][16] As early as the 1950s and 60s, De Lange 17 and Kelly 18 introduced important concepts, such as the modulation transfer function of the eye. When a sinusoidal signal is presented to the eye, the neuronal output would be a sinusoidal signal at the same frequency, with a shift in phase and different amplitude.…”

Temporal contrast sensitivity using full-field flicker test (Erlangen flicker test) in patients after penetrating keratoplasty

“…We demonstrated that TCS could be performed successfully as early as 2 months postoperatively. Previous studies by our group showed that lens opacities and IOP on the day of examination had only minor influences on TCS [15,17]. In contrast, it was shown in previous studies that the TCS determined by full-field flicker test as used in this study was significantly reduced not only in advanced glaucoma stages but also in patients with ocular hypertension or preperimetric glaucoma [12].…”

25 Hz adaptation: Influence on recovery time in glaucoma

“…The observed correlations with RNFL, a further parameter for indicating conversion of glaucoma suspect into glaucoma or progression of this disease [36], strengthen the evidence for RT as a diagnostic method in glaucoma follow-up. Additionally, this test set-up might be helpful in assessing advanced glaucoma with reduced fixation ability, which limits the diagnostic value of perimetry, as fixation is not necessary in measurements of RT using the Erlangen Flicker Test [37]. Significant differences between the advanced perimetric POAGs and the normals at all test contrasts (RT 12% , RT 25% , RT 35% -p < 0.001) as well as the correlations of RTs with MD and RNFL hint at a potential benefit in long-term follow-up.…”