License

Q: We will buy a new perimeter soon. What about the data? Do we need a new license ?

A: The license is valid for the medical unit, the change of the perimeter is included in the license fee. If the new perimeter is compatible with PeriData, old and new data can be viewed simultaneously inside PeriData. Contact us in time before the change. We will explain the technical procedure to ensure a smooth data transmission from the beginning..

Q: We do not have PeriData. Now we change the perimeter and would like to rescue the old data. Is Peridata able to do that ?

A: Yes, PeriData is capable to rescue your old visual fields. The data are transferred to PeriData and stored on the computer. If both perimeters are compatible with PeriData, old and new data can be viewed simultaneously inside PeriData.

Q: Next week we will get new computers. PeriData has to be installed again. Do we need a new license key ?

A: Yes, every computer needs an individual license key. As soon as the program is installed, you start PeriData and click on "Registration" in the upcoming dialog. As soon as you see the lock number, call our hotline. If you do not get a connection at once, you can anyway work with PeriData if you start again and click "Demo mode". This works for 40 days !

Q: Our perimeter has a software that stores the data on the computer. What are the advantages to use PeriData in addition ?

A: There are several advantages. PeriData works smoothly in the entire network of your facility. Peridata is perfectly integrated in most of the EMR programs. PeriData starts quickly and is easy to handle with the buttons and the browser-like surface. Peridata offers many graphical representations of the visual fields that are unique. PeriData has a graphical, intuitive trend analysis. PeriData is an independant standard and improves the communication with offices and clinics which are using different perimeters. And if you are changing your perimeter yourself, you do not have to adapt to different representations and the old and the new data are together in the same database.

Data transmission

Q: The data transmission is not working any more. We are using a cable. The problem occured suddenly and permanently. The computer was not modified.

A: Frequently the cable is the cause. Check the whole cable and the connectors. Other possible causes are given in the help pages with the topic Data Transmission. Choose your perimeter and read the paragraph "Troubleshooting"

Q: After data transmission the examination date is curious. Month and day seem to be flipped. What is wrong ?

A: This happens with cable transmissions from older perimeters. Open menu Extra > Options > Tab Perimeter > COM.. > Button "Parameter". Depending on the date mode of the perimeter, the date format has to be adapted to save the date correctly in the PeriData database. WARNING: Do not change the date format on the tab "General". This changes the display, but wrongly saved dates are not corrected.

Q: Accidentally the wrong eye was chosen at the perimeter. Can it be corrected inside PeriData after the data transmission ?

A: Yes! Open the database window and click on the examination with the right mouse button. In the context menu choose "Change data". NOTE: Only 1 examination should be activated. Change the eye and save with "Change". NOTE: The malfixation index may be very high by a wrong positioning of the blind spot trials and is not usable. The position of the blind spot trial is given by a triangle in the numerical image.

Q: Transmission seems to work, but I get corrupted data with 'chinese' characters in the name.

A: Check the databits and the parity settings of the COM interface on both sides.

Q: Our HFA1 / HFA2 sends data. PeriData shows the message "Data error Byte ...". What does the message mean?

A: After transmission, PeriData was waiting in vain for the "File End" character, but the perimeter software did not send it. Disable the option "Check File End" in the options/perimeter/setup.

Q: Sometimes I can't transmit examinations from my perimeter to PeriData. Why does this happen ?

A: Some examinations are not sent. For detailed information see here

Visual Field Representations

Q: The trend analysis does not evaluate all examinations.

A: The trend analysis can only evaluate matching examinations. Basis is the examination that has the red frame in the Series Window. PeriData searches all examinations of the same eye with threshold strategy and matching test point patterns. The perimeter must belong to the same perimeter groug (same manufacturer). In the Option menu you can allow a change of the perimeter group within a trend series of fields.

Q: We changed the perimeter. The trend analysis does not show the old examinations.

A: If you changed the perimeter group (instruments of the same manufacturer belong to one group), you must allow the analysis for different perimeter groups in the menu Option, tab Trend. In addition, the test point pattern must match.

Q: Since we got an HFA 3, we do not get any malfixation data.

A: The HFA 3 does not send this data.

Q: Inside PeriData the examination results look differently compared to the perimeter. Also, some numbers differ a little bit. What is the reason?

A: PeriData shows the visual fields in a standardized format which is uniform for all perimeter types, while instrument manufacturers use different gray scales, color shades and calculation formula. More details

Q: The visual fields in the Series Window have different sizes for some patients. Why ?

A: This seems to be a series with different examination programs. Because the imaging scale has to be equal for all examinations in the same window, 10-degree fields are smaller than 30-degree examinations. If the image is too small (the automatic scaling adapts to the largest visual field) you may change the scale (key 3 = 30 degree, key 1 = 10 degree, or use the menu "View > Zoom").

Q: On my printouts, the visual fields (Color Defect Map/Grayscale) are too dark, why does this happen ?

A: This may be caused by the printer settings. You should check and test different settings. In addition, resolution should not be less than 150 dpi (draft print quality). The identity of colors is not achievable in most cases.

Program

Q: The program is getting slower and slower. We get frequently the error "fileklas.cpp".

A: Do you have a large database (more than 10,000 exams)? Is the database file stored on a server? In this case, you should move the database file to the computer in the perimetry room. If you allow general access to the folder, the database can be used in the whole network as before.

Q: After the last PeriData update the program does not work properly.

A: We are sorry. Please call the hotline and describe the problem as detailed as possible. To continue your work, please install an older version. You will find a download on our website (Support > Download).

Q: We are planning to merge several facilities. Is it possible to merge the PeriData databases ?

A: Yes, in principal it is possible. The exact procedure depends on several factors. Please contact us as soon as possible, and in any way BEFORE the action, to get our advice.

Q: The order of names in PeriData (without EMR software integration) confuses me. After STEVENS, BOB follows STEVENSON, JOHN and then STEVENS, THOMAS

A: PeriData ignores all blanks, commata, and dashes when it sorts by name. This has proven to be practical, because in many offices and clinics the same patient name on different visits is typed differntly into the perimeter. And the commata between name and surname is not reliable. Our method ensures that all examinations of the same patient stand together. Sorting may look curious at first glance, but makes sense.