Abstract
Abstract: :
Purpose: To quantify the attention–diverting effect of cellular–phone conversation on visual field awareness using a new model based on the Humphrey visual field analyzer. Methods: 20 male and 20 female normal participants performed 3 Esterman visual field examinations with the Humphrey Field Analyzer II. The second exam was used as baseline. During the third exam, the participant engaged in a hands–free conversation using the a cellular phone. The conversation was based on a standard questionnaire and simulated ordinary conversation. Visual field performance parameters were compared between the 2nd–baseline and the 3rd–test exams and included: number of points missed for the left and right eyes, test duration, rate of fixation losses, false–positive and false–negative errors. Results: A learning effect was observed with improved performance from the 1st to the 2nd exam. During phone conversation, missed points increased from mean 1.03 to 4.1 (p=0.02) in the right eye and from 1.1 to 3.2 (p=0.008) in the left eye. Missed points were mainly in the peripheral field. Fixation loss increased from mean10.67% to 29.84% (p=0.005) and from 6.91% to 36.78% (p<0.0001) for the right and left eyes, respectively. False–negative and false–positive rates were low. Test duration significantly increased by a mean of 16% per stimulus. Conclusions:The attention–diverting effect of cellular–phone conversation was quantified with a novel model and found to be significant.
Keywords: clinical (human) or epidemiologic studies: risk factor assessment • perception • perimetry