Researchers compared visual field testing in children with neuro-ophthalmic disease between manual kinetic Goldmann and semi-automatic kinetic Octopus perimeters, and found both remain good testing options. The team assessed the testing results from thirty children between the ages of five and 15.

Comparing completion, 90% of participants completed Goldmann perimetry in full and 72.4% completed the Octopus. Researchers cite inability to plot the blind spot as the most common reason for not completing testing. Octopus perimetry produced the lowest quality tests in children younger than eight, and there were no significant differences between the two perimeters in older children.

Visual field severity grades and defect type matched in only 57% of Goldmann tests and 69% of Octopus tests, and the Octopus perimeter underestimated severe visual field defects. Still, there was broad agreement between the two tests.

The study concluded that, while meaningful differences exist between the two, Goldmann and Octopus protocols remain feasible options for children older than eight with neuro-ophthalmic presentations.