[What new knowledge has automated perimetry with the Octopus brought on glaucomatous visual field changes?].

The results of studying patients with glaucomatous field defects over a 5-year period using the Octopus automated perimeter are summarized. This instrument relies on a retest logic and problem-orientated adaptation of the test points as well as of the software is possible with it. Automated perimetry offers significant advantages over conventional field testing and has increasing our understanding of glaucoma considerably. (1) The probability of detecting glaucomatous field defects is substantially greater than with manual perimetry; (2) the results of a visual field examination can be treated mathematically and statistically, especially when Bebie and Fankhauser 's Delta program is used; (3) the evaluation of progressive field loss is only possible using threshold perimetry, as supra-threshold stimuli are too crude; (4) increased fluctuations around the normal age-corrected threshold represent the earliest detectable changes in glaucoma; (5) loss of sensitivity is reversible in early relative scotomata; (6) the depth of relative scotomata cannot be sharply defined on account of rapid fluctuations in sensitivity; (7) early visual field changes probably represent late changes in the course of chronic simple glaucoma.