Test-retest variability of fundus-tracked perimetry at the peripapillary region in open angle glaucoma

Abstract

PURPOSE. To examine the association between the measured level and local gradient of visual sensitivity on the magnitude of test-retest variability of its measurements at the peripapillary region using fundus-tracked perimetry in eyes with glaucoma. METHODS. A total of 30 participants with open angle glaucoma underwent three examinations in one eye on fundus-tracked perimetry using a stimulus pattern that sampled the peripapillary region densely. Factors associated with the magnitude of test-retest variability at each location were examined. RESULTS. There was no significant change in average pointwise sensitivity (PWS) between tests 1 and 2 (P = 0.855), but a significant reduction between tests 2 and 3 (P < 0.001). Therefore, all subsequent analyses were performed only between tests 1 and 2. Multivariate analyses revealed that the magnitude of test-retest variability at a given location was significantly associated with its average sensitivity and gradient of sensitivity relative to the immediately adjacent locations (P ≤ 0.001), meaning that locations with low levels of sensitivity (4-18 dB) with low gradients of sensitivity (<2 dB/location) had a 90% test-retest limit of ±5.83 dB, compared to a limit of ±10.65 dB in areas of high gradients of sensitivity (>4 dB/location). CONCLUSIONS. On a pointwise basis, the test-retest variability of visual sensitivity in glaucoma is not just related to its measured level, but also its local gradient when using fundus-tracked perimetry. Locations with low sensitivity do not necessarily demonstrate very high test-retest variability, depending on the local uniformity of visual field damage.