Short-wavelength automated perimetry in type I diabetic patients without retinal involvement: a test modification to decrease test duration.

PURPOSE

To compare short-wavelength automated perimetry (SWAP) between type I diabetic patients without clinical posterior segment involvement and nondiabetic control subjects.

METHODS

Forty eyes of diabetic patients without obvious posterior segment involvement and 34 eyes of the nondiabetic control group were included in the study. A complete set of ophthalmic examination was followed by SWAP perimetry in all subjects. Short-wavelength automated perimetry results were compared between the 2 groups. In addition, as a modification to SWAP, the data of the central 16 points were omitted and the resulting data of the remaining 60 points (corrected data) were compared between the 2 groups.

RESULTS

Mean deviation in the diabetic patients (group I) was -6.51 dB and in the control group (group II) -3.0 dB; the difference was statistically significant. Mean corrected sensitivity in group I was 19.79 dB and in group II 22.37 dB. Mean corrected total deviation in group I was -6.67 and in group II -3.22. Both differences were highly statistically significant. The mean corrected pattern deviation in group I was -3.29 and in group II -3.04, which was not a statistically significant difference.

CONCLUSIONS

Short-wave automated perimetry abnormalities precede diabetic retinopathy in type I diabetic patients and omission of central 16 points does not compromise test results in this situation.