A new psychophysical approach in glaucoma detection: Preattentive vision testing

Purpose. To evaluate preattentive vision testing as a screening tool for detecting glaucoma. Methods A simple computer generated preattentive test was used to compare preattentive visual performance in control patients, ocular hypertensives and glaucoma patients. Colour, movement and orientation cues were examined in separate preattentive tasks. Evaluation of performance was achieved by analysis of the temporal distribution of reaction times. Results Deficits in preattentive vision were detected in 96% (24/25) of glaucomatous eyes, 38% (11/29) of ocular hypertensive eyes and 4% (1/27) of control eyes. Preattentive tests based on orientation cues were the most sensitive in detecting glaucoma, followed by movement cues with colour cues the least sensitive. Conclusions Preattentive deficits are present in both glaucoma and ocular hypertension. Preattentive testing appears to provide a simple and sensitive means for detecting glaucomatous change.