Frequency-doubling threshold perimetry in predicting glaucoma in a population-based study: The Beijing Eye Study.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the predictive value of frequency-doubling threshold perimetry for glaucoma in a population-based study.


METHODS
The Beijing Eye Study, a population-based study on subjects 40 years or older, included an ophthalmic examination with fundus photography and frequency-doubling threshold perimetry. Glaucoma was defined by a glaucomatous optic disc appearance.


RESULTS
The study population consisted of 4349 subjects (8615 eyes). Among 207 glaucomatous eyes (2.4%), 74 (35.7%) did not show any abnormality on frequency-doubling threshold perimetry, suggesting a diagnostic sensitivity of 64.3%. In the total study population, a visual field defect was found in 905 eyes (10.5%). In 133 (14.7%) of these eyes, a glaucomatous appearance of the optic disc was detected, and 772 eyes (85.3%) had a nonglaucomatous optic disc appearance (either normal or with nonglaucomatous optic nerve damage, retinal disease, corneal disease, or cataract). For 450 eyes (49.7%) with a visual field defect, the cause of the perimetric defect was not detected.


CONCLUSIONS
In a population-based study, frequency-doubling threshold perimetry has a sensitivity of about 64% to detect glaucoma. If the result is abnormal, the probability of glaucoma is about 15%. When results of frequency-doubling threshold perimetry are abnormal, the cause of the visual field defect may not be detectable in 50% of subjects.
Wang
Ya Xing
YX
Beijing Institute of Ophthalmology, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital University of Medical Science, Beijing, China.
Xu
Liang
L
Zhang
Rong Xiu
RX
Jonas
Jost B
JB
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002681:China / Q000453:epidemiology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005901:Glaucoma / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009898:Optic Disk / Q000473:pathology*; D009901:Optic Nerve Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D015995:Prevalence; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012684:Sensory Thresholds; D014786:Vision Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D058609:Visual Field Tests / Q000379:methods*; D014794:Visual Fields