[Usefulness of frequency doubling technology as a screening test for glaucoma].
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the usefulness of frequency doubling technology (FDT) as a screening test.


METHODS
One-hundred and six eyes of 106 patients with primary open-angle glaucoma and 66 eyes of 66 normal subjects were examined in a screening program using FDT. The test results were evaluated by comparison with the results obtained by Humphrey Field Analyzer (HFA) and/or the appearance of the optic disk.


RESULTS
The sensitivity and specificity of FDT regarding the existence of abnormal points worse than mild relative loss were 88% and 95%, respectively. At least one abnormal point worse than mild relative loss in FDT was detected in over 90% of the abnormal hemifields equal to or worse than stage 2 of Aulhorn's classification modified by Greve, but it was 55% and 65% in stages 0-1 and 1, respectively. Nerve fiber layer defects were found in 67% of the hemifields, which was judged as abnormal in FDT but normal in HFA.


CONCLUSIONS
FDT is useful for detection of glaucomatous visual field defects in stage 2 or worse. FDT may detect early glaucomatous visual field defects overlooked in HFA testing.
Saito
M
M
Department of Ophthalmology, Hachioji Medical Center, Tokyo Medical University, 1163 Tate-machi, Hachioji 193-0998, Japan.
Yamashiro
H
H
Matsumoto
H
H
Shirato
S
S
D005902:Glaucoma, Open-Angle / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D058609:Visual Field Tests / Q000379:methods*