A comparison of the Synemed Glaucoma and the Humphrey 30-2 threshold perimetry tests.

BACKGROUND: Automated perimeters (in general) are similar; however, caution may be exercised when visual field results from two different instruments are compared. The purpose of this study was to compare threshold measurements in the central field between the Synemed (Optifield 1) Glaucoma Test and the Humphrey 30-2 test in a young patient population.

METHODS: One hundred twenty subjects were tested. The subjects were selected according to specific criteria considering ocular and systemic disease and refractive error. The ages ranged from 15 to 35 years, with a mean age of 25.9 years. The central 30 glaucoma test was used with the Synemed instrument, and the 30-2 test was used with the Humphrey instrument. Mean threshold values for the entire field, hemifields, quadrants, and sectors were compared between instruments.

RESULTS: The difference in the mean value for the collective threshold values for each pattern for each instrument were calculated and compared. The difference between the instruments for the mean dB threshold value for each pattern was less than the expected short-term fluctuation and therefore are equivalent for clinical purposes.

CONCLUSION: For the patterns examined here, the Synemed Optifield 1 and Humphrey Field Analyzer provided comparable results in this population.