Estimating the Critical Duration for Temporal Summation of Standard Achromatic Perimetric Stimuli

Purpose.: To estimate the critical duration of temporal summation for achromatic Goldmann III stimuli under the conditions of standard automated perimetry (SAP) and quantify response variability for short-duration stimuli.

Methods.: Contrast thresholds were gathered using the method of constant stimuli for seven circular (0.48° diameter) incremental stimuli of varying duration (sum-of-frames equivalent: 8.3–198.3 ms), at an eccentricity of 8.8° along the four principal meridians of the visual field in two healthy, psychophysically experienced observers. Stimuli were presented on a high-resolution cathode ray tube display with a background luminance of 10 cd/m2. Psychometric functions were fitted using a probit model and nonparametric local-linear analysis. The critical duration was estimated using iterative two-phase regression analysis, the results also being compared with values produced using previously published methods of analysis.

Results.: The median critical duration estimated using iterative two-phase regression analysis was 27.7 ms (IQR 22.5–29.8). A slight steepening of the psychometric function slope (lower variability) was observed for longer stimulus durations, using both probit and local-linear analysis techniques, but this was not statistically significant.

Conclusions.: Critical duration estimates in this study are substantially shorter than those previously reported for a Goldmann III stimulus, under the conditions of SAP. Further work is required to firmly establish the relationship between measurement variability and the degree of local temporal and spatial summation.