Reaction time in automated kinetic perimetry: Effects of stimulus luminance, eccentricity, and movement direction

Purpose: To determine the effects of stimulus eccentricity and luminance level on the reaction time (RT) of young normal volunteers during automated kinetic campimetry. Methods: We used a specially designed video-campimetric device equipped with a continuous infrared (IR) pupillographic fixation control (Tübingen Computer Campimeter) and recorded reaction times upon presenting horizontally moving small circular stimuli (size 26′; constant angular velocity 2°/s) starting at 16 locations within the central 30°-radius of the visual field. Two different levels of stimulus luminance were used (41.6 cd/m² and 110 cd/m²), while background luminance was 10 cd/m². Each stimulus was presented a total of six times in a randomized order. Subjects were 12 healthy young individuals (aged 21-30 years) with normal ophthalmic examinations. An analysis of variance (ANOVA) was performed on the data. Results: RTs showed considerable inter- and intra-individual variation with individual least squares means (LSM, fitted values of a linear model) ranging from 305 to 454 ms, and residual standard deviation (R.S.D.) 66 ms. Reaction times did not differ significantly as a function of stimulus direction (P > 0.6). Higher luminance levels produced significantly reduced reaction times for all stimulus locations and directions (mean reduction: 16 ms; P < 0.0001). Reaction times increased with increasing eccentricity, in the mean by 1.8 ms per degree of visual angle, from 365 ± 4 ms (S.E.M.) foveally, to 407 ± 2 ms at 30° eccentricity; (P < 0.0001). Conclusions: Automated kinetic perimetry should be designed to cope with significant, variable interindividual response characteristics. Other stimulus related factors, such as eccentricity or luminance level, have a significant but comparatively small effect on reaction time within the central 30°-radius visual field in healthy young individuals.