Double Flash Resolution Altered in Aging and Early Glaucoma

Abstract

Double flash resolution (DFR) and critical flicker fusion frequency (CFF) were measured in 30 patients with glaucoma. These patients had no abnormality in any isopter evaluated using the Goldmann perimeter or any elevation of thresholds using the Tubinger perimeter at parafoveal field locations. These two tests, DFR and CFF, were also performed in 24 normal subjects divided into 3 age groups. Ten out of the 30 patients with glaucoma showed a significant deterioration of DFR in the temporal visual field without any abnormality in CFF. In the normal subject group, however, functional abnormalities with aging were observed in the upper visual field. Therefore, the deterioration of time-dependent sensitivity in the temporal visual field in the cases with glaucoma was judged as early glaucomatous changes. The DFR is thought to be a more sensitive method for detecting early glaucomatous functional changes than flicker or static perimetry, and seems to be a promising test for the understanding of pathophysiologic process underlying retinal or optic nerve diseases.