Rarebit and frequency-doubling technology perimetry in children and young adults

Purpose: To describe the outcome of visual field examinations performed with rarebit (RB) and frequency-doubling technology perimetry (FDT) in children and young adults. Methods: Twenty-one children (aged 6.5-12 years) and 30 teenagers and young adults (aged 14-20 years), participated in the study. Results: Reliable RB examinations were carried out in 76% of the younger group and 90% of the older group. Corresponding values for FDT were 57% and 90-95%, respectively. The RB results were very similar to those previously obtained in adult subjects, while some subjects showed borderline values in FDT, depending on the criteria used. The RB perimetry was preferred by 88% of the examined subjects. Conclusions: Rarebit perimetry seems useful for visual field examination in children aged 7 years and over, if age-corrected normative data are established; this test was also preferred by the tested subjects. No adaptation or special instructions were needed and the children found it rather amusing.