Conference report: Changing pressures

The annual Glaucoma Symposium organised by Haag-Streit UK has become an established event on the optometry education calendar, and this year included speakers outlining the latest in assessment and treatment.

Perimetry

Visual fields assessment is still an integral part of the assessment of anyone at risk of glaucoma, or for monitoring the progression of glaucomatous disease. In his overview of perimetry, Professor Paul Artes (Plymouth University) reminded the audience of the great strides made in the evolution of visual fields screeners (figure 1).

Modern instruments, such as the latest Octopus, include an array of strategies, offer data helpful in predicting glaucomatous change, show reliability and help adapt fixation, and include an extensive database – helpful in deciding whether results fall outside the expected. That said, the assessment is a subjective one and always at the mercy of patient responses. Artes reminded delegates that it is always worth considering specificity and sensitivity when deciding on appropriate strategies.