Correlation between the optic disc and results obtained with conventional, high-pass resolution and pattern discrimination perimetry in glaucoma

The purpose of this study was to determine whether results obtained with two new techniques, high-pass resolution perimetry and pattern discrimination perimetry, correlated better to the appearance of the optic disc than results obtained with conventional automated perimetry in patients with open-angle glaucoma. Our sample consisted of 28 eyes of 28 patients with early glaucomatous field damage who are part of a prospective follow-up study. We used the second of two sets of baseline perimetric examinations separated by 1 week in the analysis. Neuroretinal rim area was calculated by planimetry of stereophotographs of the disc and was correlated to the visual field sensitivity measured with each of the techniques. We found a poor correlation between the disc and field measurements (correlation coefficients: -0.048 for conventional perimetry, 0.111 for high-pass resolution perimetry and -0.315 for pattern discrimination perimetry). Although the correlation appeared to be higher with the newer techniques, the differences were not statistically significant.