Visual field (Octopus 1-2-3) in normal subjects divided into homogeneous age-groups.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the values in decibels of retinal sensitivity within the central 26 degrees of the visual field of normal subjects divided into homogenous age groups using the Octopus 1-2-3; to compare the values of retinal sensitivity we have found with those considered normal in the statistical package obtained by a multicenter study performed in 1994 with Octopus 201.


METHODS
181 subjects divided into 6 homogeneous age groups (10 to 19 yr; 20 to 29 yr; 30 to 39 yr; 40 to 49 yr; 50 to 59 yr and 60 year-old or older) were evaluated. Data on visual sensitivity and age, average sensitivity of central and paracentral regions and eccentricity were calculated.


RESULTS
The average visual sensitivity of all groups was 26.77 +/- 1.74 dB. Correlation between visual sensitivity and age evaluated by linear regression was 28.4 - 0.040 x (age) for the whole sample and 28.7 - 0.050 x (age) for subjects aged 20 or more. Sensitivity reduction by eccentricity was -0.30 dB/degree for the whole sample and for subjects aged 20 or more.


CONCLUSIONS
Correlation between retinal sensitivity values and age based on the autoperimeter Octopus 201 (average sensitivity of 31.2 - 0.064 x age) is different from that found in this study: average sensitivity of 28.4 - 0.040 x (age) for the whole sample; 28.7 - 0.050 x (age) for subjects aged 20 or more. Values obtained with the Octopus 1-2-3 autoperimeter cannot be compared with those by other Octopus models (101, 201 and 500) due to their distinct features.
Calixto
Nassim
N
Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brasil. clinicacalixto@veloxmail.com.br
Santos
Roberto Márcio de Oliveira
RM
Cronemberger
Sebastião
S
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001938:Brazil; D002648:Child; D006801:Humans; D008027:Light; D016014:Linear Models; D008875:Middle Aged; D012016:Reference Values; D012160:Retina / Q000502:physiology*; D012684:Sensory Thresholds / Q000502:physiology*; D012815:Signal Processing, Computer-Assisted; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D058609:Visual Field Tests / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D014794:Visual Fields / Q000502:physiology*; D014796:Visual Perception / Q000502:physiology