The Statistical Evaluation of Measurements in Static Campimetry and its Consequences for Multiple Stimulus Campimetry

Abstract

Multiple stimulus visual field examination can be used as a comparatively rapid method for the detection of visual field defects. However, the method should be correctly used and results should be sensibly interpreted. Based on a statistical analysis of the differential threshold values of 22 normal eyes of 22 normal subjects, it was concluded that (1) for accurate visual field examination, the application of a standard luminance of the stimuli for patients of a certain age group for the investigation of the visual field with multiple stimulus campimetry instruments should not be considered; it is preferable to perform threshold measurements as in single stimulus static perimetry; (2) simultaneous perception of differently localised stimuli, i.e. perception after an equal number of increments in luminance, is usually not possible due to the large variations in the shape of the individual sensitivity curves with respect to the average sensitivity curve. Consequently, simultaneousness of perception should not be considered as a criterion of normality; (3) multiple stimulus presentation merely facilitates simultaneous approach of the threshold level.