What change occurs in the temporal modulation transfer function in early glaucoma?

In early glaucoma, the temporal modulation transfer function reveals decreased sensitivity to moderate and high frequencies. This is significant because it reflects the changes occurring in visual processing as the disease affects the neural pathways associated with vision. Patients with early glaucoma may have a reduced ability to detect rapidly changing visual stimuli, indicating that the temporal aspects of vision are compromised.

Understanding this aspect of the temporal modulation transfer function is crucial in diagnosing and monitoring glaucoma progression. While sensitivity to lower frequencies may remain relatively intact in the early stages, the difficulties experienced with moderate and high frequencies suggest disruptions in the visual system's capacity to process swift or dynamic visual information. This phenomenon is often observed prior to detectable changes in standard visual field tests, making it a valuable indicator in the evaluation of glaucoma.