Angioscotometry with the scanning laser ophthalmoscope. Comparison of the effect of different wavelengths.

PURPOSE Angioscotomas are scotomata caused by vessel shadows. Their extent may be influenced by physiological and pharmacologic conditions and disease. In this study, the authors quantified angioscotomas in normal subjects using a fundus perimetry technique with a scanning laser ophthalmoscope. They further investigated the influence of two different wavelengths on scotoma depth. METHODS For blue-on-yellow perimetry, the authors used two different lasers--an argon laser (lambda = 458 nm) for stimuli and a low background and a HeNE (lambda = 594 nm) for a superimposed yellow background. For red-on-red perimetry, the authors used another HeNe laser (lambda = 633 nm). Fundus illumination was provided by an infrared light. Five healthy subjects were examined. Twenty-one to 24 stimuli (200 msec duration, 0.4 degree x 0.4 degree) were presented at different intensities in randomized order in a 5 degrees x 2.5 degrees retinal test field, directly inferior and adjacent to the disk. RESULTS The depth of scotomas caused by major vessels varied in all subjects and depended on perimetry condition. To quantify the influence of vessels on sensitivity, the authors analyzed psychometric functions for stimuli projected on the vessels and for those far from the vessels. The authors found a significant difference for targets on the vessel compared to those far, which was more pronounced for the blue-on-yellow condition. CONCLUSIONS Angioscotomas are detected better with blue targets on a yellow background than with red-on-red perimetry. The greater light absorption by hemoglobin and oxyhemoglobin at short wavelengths compared to longer wavelengths is not compensated for by visual mechanisms.