Quadrant analysis of peripheral colour contrast thresholds can be of significant value in the interpretation of minor visual field alterations in glaucoma suspects

Abstract

Peripheral colour contrast thresholds were investigated in glaucoma suspects with no or minor visual field alterations, determining the average colour contrast threshold at 12.5° off axis. The technique was introduced as a rapid screening test for pre-glaucomatous visual loss. Using this “ring” test, all definite glaucoma patients in the initial study had elevated colour contrast thresholds. In our experience, however, a substantial proportion of early glaucoma patients were found to have normal thresholds. The peripheral colour contrast threshold determined by the ring test is an average threshold in the entire annular zone at 12.5° eccentricity. We therefore modified the test procedure without a major increase in test duration. An arcade subtending 45° at 12.5° eccentricity was used to determine colour contrast thresholds in four quadrants of the visual field separately (“quadrant” test). We present here the first results of this novel procedure, investigating peripheral colour contrast thresholds in glaucomatous patients. The quadrant test is shown to be more sensitive than the ring test in the detection of functional loss. © 1995 Royal College of Ophthalmologists.