Normal values for fundus perimetry with the scanning laser ophthalmoscope.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the normal light sensitivity values for fundus perimetry and their short time fluctuation (reliability) in normal volunteers of different ages. After the development of full-threshold static fundus perimetry, age-corrected sensitivity values for normal subjects are required to interpret results and to compare them with conventional computerized perimetry.


METHODS
Full-threshold fundus perimetry of the central field (33 x 21 degrees) by means of the scanning laser ophthalmoscope was performed on 152 eyes of 99 healthy persons aged 16 to 77 years with normal vision and no eye disease. Fixation was simultaneously documented. Light sensitivity values were evaluated according to each subject's age and test point location.


RESULTS
Linear regression analysis disclosed a significant (P < .0001) decrease of the mean sensitivity of 0.275 dB per decade of increasing age, starting with 16.6 dB at age 10 years. Standard deviation around the center of fixation was 0.287 degrees in the first decade, and it increased by 2.82 minutes of arc per decade (P < .0001). Variation in triple examinations of subjects did not differ from short time fluctuation.


CONCLUSIONS
Visual fields examined with fundus perimetry show reliable measurements in a range comparable to conventional computerized perimetry. There is a significant correlation between increase of age and decrease of light sensitivity in fundus perimetry. Visual fields obtained with fundus perimetry seem to correlate well with known data from computerized static threshold perimetry. It should be recognized that even in normal subjects, the stability of fixation decreases with increasing age.
Department of Ophthalmology, University of Heidelberg, Germany. Klaus_Rohrschneider@ukl.uni-heidelberg.de
K
K
Rohrschneider
M
M
Becker
N
N
Schumacher
T
T
Fendrich
H E
HE
Völcker
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D005654:Fundus Oculi; D006801:Humans; D007834:Lasers; D008027:Light; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019721:Ophthalmoscopes; D012016:Reference Values; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012684:Sensory Thresholds / Q000502:physiology; D058609:Visual Field Tests / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D014794:Visual Fields / Q000502:physiology*