Some aspects of the automation of perimetry

Manual perimetry has certain inherent limitations stemming from both the patient and the examiner. Automated perimetry, if properly developed, can offer the advantages of exact reproducibility of the examination strategy, accuracy achieved through averaging of repeated determinations, and systematic application of previous data to the current examination. The history, concepts and clinical practicality of automated perimetry are discussed. Several systems capable of performing functions resembling human intellectual activity are commercially available; one, the Octopus TM, is described in detail.