[Usefulness of frequency doubling technology as a screening test for glaucoma].

PURPOSE: To evaluate the usefulness of frequency doubling technology (FDT) as a screening test.

MATERIAL AND

METHODS

One-hundred and six eyes of 106 patients with primary open-angle glaucoma and 66 eyes of 66 normal subjects were examined in a screening program using FDT. The test results were evaluated by comparison with the results obtained by Humphrey Field Analyzer (HFA) and/or the appearance of the optic disk.

RESULTS

The sensitivity and specificity of FDT regarding the existence of abnormal points worse than mild relative loss were 88% and 95%, respectively. At least one abnormal point worse than mild relative loss in FDT was detected in over 90% of the abnormal hemifields equal to or worse than stage 2 of Aulhorn's classification modified by Greve, but it was 55% and 65% in stages 0-1 and 1, respectively. Nerve fiber layer defects were found in 67% of the hemifields, which was judged as abnormal in FDT but normal in HFA.

CONCLUSION

FDT is useful for detection of glaucomatous visual field defects in stage 2 or worse. FDT may detect early glaucomatous visual field defects overlooked in HFA testing.