Purpose: To compare global indices and duration of automated visual field tests in geriatric patients and in patients below 60 years old. Methods: 24-2 Humphrey visual field examinations were performed in 56 patients from the Geriatrics Department of UNIFESP-EPM and in 23 subjects aged below 60 years. Test reliability, duration and global indices were compared between groups for the right and left eyes. Among geriatric patients the same variables were studied between reliable and nonreliable fields and in those with bilateral reliable tests (OD x OS). Results: Mean age of geriatric patients was 77.7 ± 5.0 years and 50.0 ± 5.0 years in those below 60 years (p<0.001). PSD and CPSD differed statistically between geriatric and nongeriatric patients (PSDOD p = 0.02 and OS p =0.03; CPSDOD p =0.02 and OS p =0.44). Geriatric patients spent statistically more time to perform the test (t geriatrics OD= 11.8 ± 1.8min <FONT FACE=Symbol>¾</FONT> t below 60=11.1 ± 1.9min p = 0.04; t ge-riatric OS=11.4 ± 1.4 min - t below 60 OS = 10.8 ± 1.8 min p = 0.009). In geriatric patients, nonreliable exams had statistically higher PSD and CPSD values than reliable fields. In those geriatric cases with bilateral exams, there were no statistical differences in global indices or test duration (pMD = 0.4; pPSD = 0.9; pSF = 0.68; pCPSD = 0.92; p duration = 0.11). Conclusion: Geriatric patientes spent statistically more time to perform the test and had higher PSD and CPSD values, suggesting higher visual field variability.
Humphrey perimeter; Age; Visual Field
