Tilted disc syndrome may negatively influence visual field exams, researchers say

Minute changes in near correction during visual field examinations can cause inaccurate interpretations of field deterioration in eyes with tilted disc syndrome and glaucoma, so visual field testing in these eyes should include examination with gradually increasing myopic correction, according to a study.

Marja-Liisa Vuori, MD, and Maija Mäntyjärvi, MD, used standard Goldmann perimetry to examine the visual fields of 38 eyes of 24 patients with visual field defects associated with tilted disc syndrome. Specifically, the investigators plotted IV-4e, I-4e, I-3e and I-2e isopters. These defective isopters were then retested with gradually increasing myopic correction until no additional changes were observed.

The investigators identified relative upper temporal defects in 19 eyes.

In addition, the investigators identified temporal relative defects in five eyes, upper altitudinal field defects in six eyes, a blind spot in four eyes and an inferior field defect in one eye.

However, these visual field defects either partially or completely disappeared as myopic correction increased in 18 eyes, the authors noted.

Overall, improvement averaged 17°, and additional myopic correction averaged 3.1 D, according to the study, published in the September issue of Acta Ophthalmologica.