Table 2 Panel-finalized definitions of visual field patterns and defects

Normal

No quadrants depressed or only a few points in no specific pattern. One depressed point in a location surrounding the blind spot is normal unless it is part of another defined field defect.

Absolute defect

No response (sensitivity = zero) was recorded for all points in all quadrants or if only one point is less than or equal to 9 dB sensitivity and all other points are zero. If the retest is zero, then the point sensitivity is zero. Foveal sensitivity must be equal to zero.

Diffuse defect

Entire visual field equally depressed including fixation as defined as presence of both a superior and an inferior altitudinal defect that are equally depressed and a central scotoma

Superior altitudinal

Upper half of field equally depressed as defined as all points in the superior two quadrants approximately equally depressed, excluding those temporal to the blind spot (i.e. points 11 and 19 on the visual field map). Depression should extend down to horizontal meridian including approximate equal involvement of the superior paracentral points (points 21 and 22 on the visual field map).

Inferior altitudinal

Lower half of field equally depressed as defined as all points in the inferior two quadrants approximately equally depressed, excluding those temporal to the blind spot (i.e. points 27 and 35 on the visual field map). Depression should extend up to horizontal meridian including approximate equal involvement of the superior paracentral points (points 29 and 30 on the visual field map).

Superior arcuate

Peripheral defect (at least four peripheral points must be depressed within one quadrant) that appears in either or both superior quadrants with relative sparing of either one or both of the superior paracentral points, or either one of the superior paracentral points is less depressed in comparison to the superior periphery in either quadrant and it is not a nasal step. Superior periphery is defined as all points in the superior two quadrants except points 21 and 22.

Inferior arcuate

Peripheral defect (at least four peripheral points must be depressed within one quadrant) that appears in either or both inferior quadrants with relative sparing of either one or both of the inferior paracentral points, or either one of the inferior paracentral points is less depressed in comparison to the inferior periphery in either quadrant and it is not a nasal step. Inferior periphery is defined as all points in the inferior two quadrants except points 29 and 30.

Superior nasal step

An isolated superior nasal quadrant defect which preferentially involves the peripheral points (points 18,25, and 26) adjacent to the horizontal meridian. Cannot be part of a superior arcuate defect and there cannot be an arcuate defect in the superior temporal quadrant. Superior nasal points adjacent to the vertical meridian (points 3,8,15 and 22) are relatively spared.

Inferior nasal step

An isolated inferior nasal quadrant defect which preferentially involves the peripheral points (points 33,34 and 42) adjacent to the horizontal meridian. Cannot be part of an inferior arcuate defect and there cannot be an arcuate defect in the inferior temporal quadrant. Inferior nasal points adjacent to the vertical meridian (points 30, 39, 46, and 51) are relatively spared.

Central scotoma

Decreased sensitivity of the fovea by 5 dB relative to the least depressed point in the rest of the field or the foveal sensitivity is less than 10 dB.

Paracentral scotoma

Focal depression of the visual field not corresponding to any other pattern and located within the paracentral region (points 20,21,22,28,29,30) adjacent to the blind spot, but sparing fixation (i.e. no central scotoma). One isolated, depressed paracentral point next to the blind spot (point 20 or 28) is not a paracentral scotoma. If there is a central scotoma and, as defined, a paracentral scotoma, then the defect is categorized as a central scotoma.

Superior arcuate/altitudinal

Both superior paracentral points (points 21 and 22) are equally depressed, but the superior periphery is more depressed than the paracentral. Superior paracentral points must differ substantially from the inferior paracentral points (points 29 and 30) i.e. no central or paracentral scotoma involving these points.

Inferior arcuate/altitudinal

Both inferior paracentral points (points 29 and 30) are equally depressed, but the inferior periphery is more depressed than the paracentral Inferior paracentral points must differ substantially from the superior paracentral points (points 29 and 30) i.e. no central or paracentral scotoma involving these points

Other

Pattern defect that does not fit any of the above definitions e.g. shifted field. Use this category only if you are certain that you cannot categorize the defect using the other 13 categories