title: Effectiveness of measuring the central field with the Berkeley field test.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  There are several limitations of the Amsler chart as a screening tool due to its low sensitivity and high false-negative results. The Berkeley central visual field test (BCFT), which is a simple power-point presentation of a 50-point scoring system for the central 10-degree of the visual field, was devised as an alternative to the Amsler chart.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To compare the efficacy of measuring the central visual field using the Berkeley central field test (BCFT) and the Amsler grid test.
  
  
  METHODS
  In a comparative and validity study, 30 subjects with maculopathy and 35 controls were recruited. The maculopathy subjects with the best corrected visual acuity of 20/200 or better and 2.5M for distant and near vision respectively, were included. All the subjects under went a complete eye examination where visual assessment was done using the distant and near vision Log MAR Chart. The subjects were assessed with the Amsler chart-II at a distance of 30 cm. The BCFT was used as a 50- point scoring system. The effectiveness of BCFT was compared with that of the Amsler grid regarding the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Out of 65 subjects, 30 subjects had maculopathy and 35 were normal. The mean age of the 65 subjects was 49.8±9.1 years. Of the 30 subjects with maculopathy, the majority (54%) had age- related macular degeneration. The sensitivity, specificity, PPV and NPV of the Amsler grid test were found to be 80%, 100%, 100% and 87%, respectively, whereas those of the BCFT were 71%, 99%, 98% and 82% (p=0.37).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The BCFT test was as good as the Amsler grid test at detecting the presence of maculopathy.
authors: B.P. Koirala Lions Centre for Ophthalmic Studies Institute of Medicine, Tribhuvan University Maharajgunj, Kathmandu, Nepal.
authors: Sanjeeb K
authors: SK
authors: Mishra
authors: Gauri S
authors: GS
authors: Shrestha
authors: Hiral
authors: H
authors: Korani
mesh_terms: D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005188:False Negative Reactions; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008268:Macular Degeneration / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D058609:Visual Field Tests / Q000379:methods*; D014794:Visual Fields