[Modern perimetry: automatic or manual?].

The possible applications of computer assisted static perimetry are examined after one and a half year of personal experience. The general advantage of a computer-assisted perimeter may be the elimination of the influence of the perimetrist on the results. We have employed the PERITEST perimeter because this system allows either full automatic perimetry or two types of manual perimetry with presentation of single or multiple stimuli. All perimetric examination is done after the determination of the individual visual retinal threshold. The examination is always performed at a supraliminal level relative to the individual threshold. The following conclusions can be drawn: 1 - Even after complete elimination of the perimetrist's influence fluctuations in results may be observed. Furthermore, the longer examination the more important patient cooperation becomes in automated perimetry as compared to the manual procedure. So we concluded that the best strategy should be related to the studies of the visual field defects. 2 - For perimetry of presupposed normal visual fields, the multiple stimulus procedure is quite adequate. If some problem appears, the flexibility of the PERITEST enables the use of the single manual stimulus mode. The full automatic examination is done only when there are mild field defects and in intelligent patients. 3 - These techniques enable the description of a new presentation of the classical perimetry's signs of early glaucoma: a loss of 0,5 Log. U.L. (which has the same significance as an isolated relative scotoma.