Introduction: Since the normal visual field varies relatively little between individuals, pathological field loss can be defined as significant deviation from the normal. Significance limits are different for different test point locations. Short Wavelength Automated Perimetry (SWAP) is considered an earlier indicator of function loss in glaucoma than Standard Automated Perimetry (SAP). Accurate perimetry testing -particularly SWAP- is time-consuming and often tiring for the patient. The aim of this study was the design and evaluation of a Custom program in order to perform both SAP and SWAP in a shorter way.
Methods: 20 healthy subjects, aged between 20 and 39, with IOP within 20 mmHG, without any visual field defect.
A Custom program of a 640 Humphrey Field Analyzer was elaborated: 27 locations spacing 6°, within 20° nasally and 15° in the remaining paracentral area of the visual field.
Each subject underwent at least four visual field tests: one Humphrey 24-2 and one “Custom 27 points” with both SAP and SWAP.
Results-Conclusions: both SAP and SWAP Custom 27 points were performed in about 50% of the time required for SAP and SWAP 24-2; nevertheless, statistical analysis of the results showed a considerable inter-test variability of sensitivity values of equal test locations between SWAP 24-2 and SWAP Custom 27 points programs, whereas differences were not significant between SAP 24-2 and SAP Custom 27 points.