Abstract
Purpose: :
Visual field testing in the pediatric population is inherently difficult because of cognitive as well as attentional factors (Tschopp). To improve outcome of visual fields, children are often encouraged to view it as a video game. The purpose of this study was to investigate the clinical usefulness of automated perimetry in children 10 years and under.
Methods: :
The first 24-2 Humphrey visual fields of 38 glaucoma/glaucoma suspect children and 35 adult controls randomly selected and performed in the same 5 year period (2002-2007) were retrospectively reviewed. Reliability indices were analyzed.
Results: :
The mean age amongst the children was 8.4 years with a range of 3-10 years. The mean reliability indices of the children, adult, associated p values and statistical significance respectively is as follows: Mean fixation loss: 30.56% children, 13.79% adult control, p = 0.000, Significant. Mean false positive responses: 13.285% children, 3.302% adult, p = 0.000, significant. Mean false negative responses: 9.573%, 8.960% p = 0.710, not significant. Test duration 458.88 seconds, 411.79 seconds, p = 0.034, significant. Mean Deviation: -3.492, -4.796, p = 0.186, not significant. Pattern standard deviation 4.071 children, 3.785 adult, p = 0.5064, not significant. Extent of visual field defects were comparable in the two groups. There was no statistically significant difference in mean deviation and pattern standard deviation. Children had statistically significant higher rates of false positive responses, fixation losses and longer test duration.
Keywords: visual fields • visual development: infancy and childhood