Abstract
Abstract: :
Purpose: To test the veracity of presumptive glaucomatous defects by Frequency Doubling Technology (FDT) screening among senior citizens attending the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) National Conventions, 1998–2003 versus clinical gold–standard Humphrey 24–2 full–threshold perimetry (HVF)and optic disc analysis. Methods: The screening population was 3208 self–referred adults (mean age 69; 2241M:967F). All individuals with greater than 2 defects, in either eye upon FDT C–20–1 screening underwent slit lamp examination, applanation tonometery, ophthalmoscopy, HVF 24–2, and one or more forms of disc imaging (digital stereo photography (DisCam), scanning laser tomography (HRT II), nerve fiber layer analysis (GDx). Any non–glaucomatous ocular pathology upon slit lamp or posterior segment examination by an on–site ophthalmologist was excluded. The more severe FDT–positive eye was compared to the masked–graded HVF 24–2 and optic disc images of that same eye. Disc images and HVF printouts were randomized and graded independently by masked glaucoma specialists. Results: Fourteen percent of these self–referred senior citizens yielded FDT defects, among whom 91% demonstrated concordant HVF 24–2 visual field loss. among this net 12.7% with HVF–confirmed FDT defects, 85% demonstrated corresponding disc pathology. Among the resulting 10.8% presenting with ipsilaterally concordant disc, FDT, and HVF pathology in either eye, 83% had applanation intraocular pressures less than 21 mmHg in both eyes. Conclusions: Among VFW convention delegates presenting for ocular screening, high concordance was found between FDT, HVF and disc findings. Normal ocular tension was a common finding among those with confirmed glaucomatous visual field and disc pathology.
Keywords: visual fields • optic disc • perimetry