Abstract
Purpose
Frequency Doubling Technology (FDT) perimetry has been utilized to detect visual field (VF) changes in type 1 diabetics with no retinopathy. However, it has not been tested in type 2 diabetes. The purpose was to assess FDT perimetry and its diagnostic capacity in type 2 diabetics without retinopathy.
Methods
This comparative cross‐sectional study included thirty‐one controls and nineteen age‐matched patients with type 2 diabetes without retinopathy, well controlled glucose level and onset duration >4 years. Full threshold C‐20 program was used for VF testing in the FDT perimeter. Mean sensitivities for each VF location, mean deviation (MD), pattern standard deviation (PSD), and test duration were compared. Area under the curve (AUC) of a Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) was calculated to assess the diagnostic value of the FDT perimetry.
Results
Mean sensitivities for some VF locations were significantly lower in the diabetic group. The mean MD was worse in diabetics (−3.35 ± 2.02 dB) than controls (−1.95 ± 1.70 dB) (p < 0.05). Neither the mean PSD nor the testing time was significantly different between the two groups. AUC values for MD and PSD were 0.29 and 0.69, respectively, (standard error = 0.076, p = 0.024).
Conclusions
FDT perimetry has a diagnostic capacity as a clinical tool for the detection of early retinal dysfunction in Type 2 diabetics before the onset of retinopathy.