Optimal test parameters for computerized quantitative layer-by-layer perimetry.

Quantitative layer-by-layer perimetry is a psychophysical technique believed to assess the functional characteristics of individual retinal layers. In the initial design of the technique, the test procedure was too time consuming for the testing of large field point patterns, and statistical treatment of the measured threshold values was difficult. Therefore, to minimize these limitations, a new design of quantitative layer-by-layer perimetry was developed by incorporating the technique into the existing hardware environment of the computerized perimeter Humphrey Field Analyzer. The present paper describes the theoretical considerations and experimental findings underlying a selection of optimal stimulus parameters to provide a basis for statistical treatment of measured threshold values, and to minimize test duration, while obtaining an acceptable estimate of the threshold level with minimum variance.