Ophthalmological tests value in detection of the optic neuropathy associated with pituitary tumours

PURPOSE: To evaluate the value of ophthalmological tests in detection of the optic neuropathy associated with pituitary tumours. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 38 patients with pituitary tumours in 21-73 years old, were examined. Routine ophthalmological examination, kinetic and static perimetry (screening test, "white-on-white" and "blue-on-yellow") and PVEP were performed. RESULTS: In patients with recurrent tumours (group II) more changes was observed in routine ophthalmological examination, perimetry and PVEP compared to patients with early detected pituitary tumours (group I). No patient of group I present changes in routine ophthalmological examination, but they had visual field defects and/or abnormal PVEP. In group I in Ps B-Y more visual field defects was detected than in kinetic perimetry (p<0.025). In the same group hemifield PVEP was more often abnormal than full-field PVEP (p<0.01). In group II similar differences were not observed. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with pituitary tumours the most useful test in the optic neuropathy diagnosis are "blue-on-yellow" static perimetry and hemifield PVEP.