Diseases Causing Visual Field Defects at Shimla Hills

Abstract

Introduction: Visual field (VF) measurement is the critical component for elucidating pathological conditions affecting not only ophthalmological but also neurological system. Objective: To study the types and disease pattern distribution, among the patients who underwent automated perimetry. Materials and Methods: This study was the analysis of visual fields, (August 2008 to July 2010), of the patients who underwent visual field recording on Octopus 900 perimeter (HAAG-STREIT AG, Switzerland) at Shimla hills (IGMC H.P.) situated at the height of 7,200 feet above sea level. Results: The causes of visual field defects(VFD) were Glaucoma 59.5% (n=119); Neurological causes 16.5% (n=33); cataract 7.5%(n=15); ARMD4.5% (n=9); BRVO4%(n=8); DR3%(n=6); AION2%(n=4); RP 1.5%(n=3); Optic neuritis 1.5% (n=3). The severity of glaucoma(advance glaucomatous VFD) increased with age significantly (p value=0.03345). Conclusion: The most common disease leading to VFD was glaucoma. The severity of glaucomatous damage increased with age significantly (p<0.05). The mean sensitivity decreases numerically with age. The next common cause leading to VFD was neurological in which the most common VFD was quadrantanopia. The other causes of VFD were cataract, ARMD, BRVO, CRVO, DR, AION, RP and optic neuritis.. This pattern of VFD was seen because Glaucoma screening is one of the commonest indications to carry out visual field analysis followed by neurological indications in our set up.

Keywords

• visual field
• automated perimetry
• octopus 900 perimeter