Age-dependent changes in visual sensitivity induced by moving fixation points in adduction and abduction using imo perimetry

Visual field (VF) testing has usually been performed with the central gaze as a fixed point. Recent publications indicated optic nerve head deformations induced by optic nerve traction force can promote the progression of optic neuropathies, including glaucoma. We generated a new static test protocol that adds 6° adduction and abduction to gaze position (fixation points) movement. The aim of this study was to investigate both whether quantifying VF sensitivities at lateral horizontal gaze positions is feasible and whether horizontal gaze positions change sensitivities differently in subjects of different ages. Healthy adult eyes from 29 younger (≤ 45 years) and 28 elderly (> 45 years) eyes were examined in this cross-sectional study. After VF testing with central gaze as a fixation point using 24 plus (1) imo static perimetry, subjects underwent VF testing with 6° adduction and 6° abduction as fixation points. The average mean sensitivities with central gaze, adduction, and abduction were 29.9 ± 1.0, 29.9 ± 1.3, and 30.0 ± 1.2 decibels (dB) in younger subjects and 27.7 ± 1.2, 27.5 ± 1.7, and 28.1 ± 1.3 dB in elderly subjects, respectively. Visual sensitivity in young healthy subjects was similar among the three fixation points, whereas visual sensitivity in elderly healthy subjects was significantly better with abduction as a fixation point than with central gaze and adduction (both p < 0.05). We expect this test protocol to contribute to our understanding of visual function during horizontal eye gaze movement in various eye diseases.