Is reading disability likely to interfere with glaucoma screening of adults using frequency-doubling technology perimetry?

PURPOSE: The present study is a preliminary investigation of whether frequency doubling technology perimetry (FDT) performance deficits exist in adults with reading disability (RD) and could thereby interfere with screening assessments for glaucoma.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional.

METHOD: The study population was composed of 46 college students. Twenty-four of the participants were identified as having a RD, and 22 served as controls. All participants underwent assessments of reading, IQ, FDT, Humphrey Visual Fields (HVF), and an ophthalmologic examination.

RESULTS

No differences between the RD and control groups were found in age, education, IQ, far visual acuity, HVF, or FDT performance, regardless of how FDT was evaluated (P's >.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Preliminary results indicate that FDT performance deficits, which have previously been demonstrated in children with RD, are either small in magnitude or do not exist in adults. Thus, it is unlikely that RD will interfere with assessment for glaucoma using FDT perimetry.