Comparing the Thin Plate Spline and Gaussian Interpolation Methods in Generating Hill of Visions for X-Linked Retinitis Pigmentosa Patients.

Purpose: To compare the efficacy of thin plate spline (TPS) and Gaussian interpolation methods in generating hill of visions (HOVs) for patients with X-linked retinitis pigmentosa (XLRP).

Methods: Visual field data from 78 eyes of 39 patients with XLRP were acquired using the Octopus 900 Pro. TPS, Gaussian, and Universal Kriging interpolation methods were implemented to generate HOVs. The volume of the entire grid (VTot), a 30-degree region (V30), and the volume ratio (VRatio) were calculated. Pearson correlation and Bland-Altman limit of agreement (LOA) analysis were performed to assess the concordance. An undersampled grid was used to assess the accuracy of the interpolation by comparing the interpolated value to the actual measured value.

Results: There were strong positive correlations (R > 0.99, P < 0.001), and LOA analysis revealed minimal differences between the three methods. Gaussian interpolation performed the fastest (P < 0.0001).

Conclusions: TPS and Gaussian interpolation methods demonstrated a high degree of concordance in generating HOVs for patients with XLRP. The choice of methods depends on the specific needs and priorities of researchers and clinicians, factoring in speed, accessibility, ease of implementation, and the ability to fine-tune the interpolation.

Translational relevance: Accurate HOV analysis is crucial for monitoring and assessing visual field loss progression. TPS and Gaussian interpolation methods are equally effective in generating HOV representations for patients with XLRP. The choice of method can be based on specific needs of researchers or clinicians, enabling more personalized treatment strategies and better disease management.