Learning effect of standard automated perimetry in healthy individuals.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the learning effect in standard automated perimetry using SITA strategy, central 24-2 program, possible associated factors and spatial distribution in individuals with no perimetry experience.


METHODS
A total of 55 healthy subjects were submitted to Humphrey perimetry in two different sessions in one day. Reliability and global indices, and threshold sensitivity at each point were compared between the two examinations. The influence of potential factors (age, gender, and educational level) and the spatial distribution were evaluated regarding alterations between these two examinations.


RESULTS
The duration of the test was longer in the first session (median, 5.7 min; interquartile range [IQR], 1.7 min) than in the second (median, 5.3; IQR, 1.1 min) (p=0.002). The median (IQR) of false negative errors was 2% (6%) in the first examination and 0% (6%) in the second (p=0.04). The mean (standard deviation) in the mean deviation (MD) global index was -2.31 (1.86) dB in the first examination and -1.73 (1.69) dB in the second (p=0.07). No association was observed between the change in MD and age (p=0.29), gender (p=0.69) and educational level (p=0.27). The changes in threshold sensitivity were greater at the peripheral points than at the central points (p<0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
The threshold sensitivity increased in the second examination compared to the first. No factors were associated with this change. The changes in threshold sensitivity were more evident at the peripheral points.
Castro
Dinorah Piacentini Engel
DP
Department of Ophthalmology, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brasil. engeltuca@uol.com.br
Kawase
Juliana
J
Melo
Luiz Alberto Soares
LA
D000328:Adult; D004522:Educational Status; D005188:False Negative Reactions; D005260:Female; D005901:Glaucoma / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006801:Humans; D007858:Learning; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012684:Sensory Thresholds; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D013997:Time Factors; D058609:Visual Field Tests / Q000379:methods*; D014794:Visual Fields / Q000502:physiology