Diurnal Variability of the Visual Field as Measured by the Octopus Perimeter

Abstract

Although it is known that intraocular pressure (IOP) fluctuates diurnally and that these variations are great in glaucomatous patients, little is known about the diurnal variability of the visual field. In this study we used an Octopus automatic perimeter (program No. 31) to measure diurnal variability of the visual field in normal controls, ocular hypertensive patients and glaucomatous patients. As a result of demonstrating the normal diurnal variations of the visual field and comparing them with those of ocular hypertension (OH) and primary open angle glaucoma (POAG), clear differences in sensitivity variation were observed. Cases of OH which have large diurnal sensitivity variation are therefore thought likely to develop into POAG. As result of our research, we considered the above method of determination as having the potential to become a diagnostic method for OH and to facilitate early diagnosis of glaucoma.