Comparison of Frequency Doubling Technology Perimeter and RNFL Photography for Early Diagnosis of Glaucoma

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To compare the frequency doubling technology perimeter (FDT) with retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) photography as a tool for the early detection of glaucoma. METHODS: Ninety-eight eyes of 98 patients were evaluated over a period of 3 months. According to the results of RNFL photography and FDT, Patients were divided into four groups based on the results of RNFL photography and optical coherence tomography (OCT). A comparison of the RNFL thickness of each group was performed using the OCT results. RESULTS: RNFL thickness in the group with abnormal FDT and normal RNFL were significantly decreased from those in the group with normal FDT and RNFL photography at the 6, 7 and, 10 o'clock area (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: There were statistically significant differences in the RNFL thickness between the group with abnormal FDT and normal RNFL photography, and the group with normal FDT and RNFL photography within the limited areas. These results imply that FDT is more useful for the early detection of glaucoma than RNFL photography.