Scanning laser entoptic perimetry for the detection of visual defects associated with diabetic retinopathy.

AIM To determine the sensitivity and specificity of entoptic perimetry for diagnosing diabetic retinopathy at all levels of severity. METHODS A prospective clinical study at the Shiley Eye Center, University of California, and San Diego. 30 patients with photographically documented diabetic retinopathy and 24 controls with a similar age distribution. Sensitivity and specificity of entoptic perimetry were computed for detecting clinically significant macular oedema within the central 120 degree radius of the fovea compared to fundus photographs. RESULTS Entoptic perimetry can detect clinically significant diabetic retinopathy with a sensitivity of 0.88 and specificity of 1.00. Entoptic perimetry can detect the earliest stages of diabetic retinopathy with a sensitivity of 0.86. CONCLUSION Scanning laser entoptic perimetry is an effective tool for detecting visual function loss caused by diabetic retinopathy.