Combined spatial, contrast, and temporal functions perimetry in mild glaucoma and ocular hypertension.

PURPOSE To evaluate the diagnostic ability of a new perimetric procedure in glaucoma. METHODS Pulsar perimeter shows white circular sinusoidal grating patterns with decreasing amplitude, 5 in diameter, 500 msec in duration in 66 locations. The stimuli scale combines spatial resolution and contrast. The stimuli were shown with centrifugal wave motion at 8 cyl/deg (K6W) or pulse at 30 Hz (T30W). Fifty-six normal eyes and 82 eyes with ocular hypertension and mild glaucoma were included. These 82 cases were classified into four levels of diagnostic certainty, from 0 (ocular hypertension) to 3 (mild glaucoma). RESULTS Mean examination time was 3:49 min. Specificity was 96.4% (T30W) and 94.6% (K6W). Sensitivities for levels 0 and 3 were 34.5% to 100% (T30W) and 24.1% to 75% (K6W). The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve areas for T30W at levels 1, 2, and 3 were 0.88, 0.94, and 0.99. The ROC areas for K6W were 0.83, 0.91, and 0.97. There was good correlation between both Pulsar perimetries (r=0.88), but it was lower with conventional perimetry (r=0.58 for T30W and r=0.59 for K6W). CONCLUSIONS The novel Pulsar T30W perimetry may be helpful for the study of mild glaucoma and ocular hypertension. (Eur J Ophthalmol 2004; 14: 514-22).