[Conventional perimetry. Antiquated or indispensable for functional glaucoma diagnostics?].

Despite its relatively long history conventional perimetry has preserved its role in (glaucoma) diagnostics by the continuous advancement of technical equipment, examination strategies and new methods for analysis and visualization of progression. A high standardization in execution and evaluation of visual field examination can now be obtained by the increasing use of computer technology. Standardized protocols become increasingly more useful especially in cases of chronic diseases, such as glaucoma where several suitable diagnostic methods must be applied over a long time period. For the assessment of functional deterioration several (numeric) perimetric indices are available in addition to clinical evaluation. The use of fast threshold estimating strategies and locally condensed grids are promising tools for early detection of the functional manifestation or progression of (glaucomatous) loss of visual field. In cases of advanced (glaucomatous) visual field loss, perimetry with (computer generated) moving stimuli (semi-automated kinetic perimetry) allows an efficient, standardized and patient-friendly edge detection of scotoma borders. This method is also very well suited for expert opinions and ability testing. The assessment by morphological or morphometric, hydrodynamic and other functional parameters serve as complementary diagnostic aids or as elementary tools for plausibility control.