Quantitative Versus Semiquantitative Perimetry in Neurological Disorders

Abstract

72 patients (135 eyes) with visual field defects from various neurological disorders were examined on the Octopus automated perimeter using both a quantitative and a semi-quantitative procedure. The semiquantitative strategy tests only whether the sensitivity is normal, relatively or absolutely disturbed. When it was used, normal values and absolute defects agreed in about 90% of the test locations with the quantitative measurements. Relative defects, however, were falsely negative (i.e. ‘normal’) or positive (i.e.‘absolute defect’) in more than 50% of the test locations with the semiquantitative procedure. Since in optic nerve and chiasmal lesions a frequent occurrence of relative defects must be expected, quantitative measurements should be performed in these disorders. In suprageniculate lesions, on the other hand, absolute defects often predominate. In most of these cases semiquantitative examinations, which are much more time saving, deliver sufficient information to the clinician.