Human psychophysical analysis of receptive field-like properties: V. Adaptation of stationary and moving windmill target characteristics to clinical populations.

This paper describes the application of several key parameters of a windmill-shaped target (used in determinations of the psychophysical transient-like function) to clinical populations as a diagnostic tool for static perimetry. A technique for independently analyzing sustained- (Westheimer function) and transient-like retinally-based psychophysical responses is outlined, and stimulus characteristics, reliability and diagnostic potential of the tests are examined. Several particularly interesting clinical cases (one closure of a branch retinal arteriole) and two senile macular degeneration patients) are presented for illustrative purposes. In addition, a tentative 'working hypothesis' is presented as a basis for extensive future analysis of various clinical populations.