[Automated perimetry in patients with primary congenital glaucoma].

PURPOSE: To identify and characterize defects using the automated perimetry test in patients with primary congenital glaucoma.

METHODS

Automated visual fields and charts of 81 eyes (48 patients) with congenital glaucoma were retrospectively analyzed, 15 being normal eyes (group N) and 66 eyes with primary congenital glaucoma (group G). Eyes of group G were grouped in eyes without perimetric changes and with early defects, characterized by MD > -6 dB (group G I= 41 eyes), and eyes with mild/advanced perimetric defects characterized by MD < or = -6 dB (group G II= 25 eyes).

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: reliability indices, global indices, GHT report, foveal threshold index and descriptive visual field defects.

RESULTS

The majority of patients showed good reliability. In group G I, 68% had normal visual fields; 22% showed localized defects and 10% showed general reduction of sensitivity. In group G II, 56% of the visual fields showed general reduction of sensitivity and 44% showed localized defects. The most common localized change was inferior paracentral scotoma. Eyes with normal visual fields in group G I had foveal threshold and MD values lower than normal eyes. The hemifield test was normal in 68% of eyes in group G I, and was abnormal in 100% of eyes in group G II.

CONCLUSIONS

Automated perimetry test was able to show typical defects of glaucoma contributing to initial evaluation and giving reliable parameters for the follow-up of eyes in patients with congenital glaucoma.