Visual field loss withcapillary non-perfusion in preproliferative andearly proliferative diabetic retinopathy

twoeyesof19patients withcapillary non-perfusion frompreproliferative andearly proliferative diabetic retinopathy underwent visual field testig onthe30-2program ofthe Humphreyvisual field analyser. Themean defect (MD)p value was<5% in30(94%) eyesandthecorrected pattern standard devia- tion(CPSD)was<10%in31.(97%)eyes. Areas ofcapillary non-perfusion demonstrated byfundal fluorescein angiography wereclosely associated with areas ofreduced retinal sensi- tivity inthese 31eyes. Moresevere visual field defects werepresent innon-insulin dependent diabetics andinolder patients. MD andCPSD pvalues ofless than0-5%and1%respectively werefound tobeassociated withnon-insulin dependent diabetes (p<0.05 andp<001 respectively) andwiththeolderagegroup (p<0*05). Therewasnocorrelation between severity offield defects withhypertension and degree ofretinopathy. (Br3' Ophthalmol 1993; 77:726-730)