1. Most scotomas had steeper borders postoperatively.

2. Central scotometry showed withdrawal of scotomas from the macula.

3. Absolute and relative scotomas as well as the fixation behavior were studied.

4. Size and depth of scotomas were measured. Eye movements during reading were recorded on videotape.

5. Visual acuity was 1.0, but perimetry revealed paracentral scotomas associated with reading problems.

6. Visual field losses may mimic bitemporal paracentral scotomas by an enlarged blind spot.

7. Scotomas to be expected in vivo in these cases have not been observed so far.

8. The size and location of deep (0 dB) and relative (12 dB) scotomas were measured.

9. Three patients with bilateral optic atrophy and central scotomas of their visual fields were clinically diagnosed with ADOA.

10. White noise field campimetry is able to transform usually negative scotomas immediately into perceivable visual field defects.

11. We found central chorioatrophic scars, followed by absolute central scotomas, with unstable fixation in the upper retinal hemisphere in her 17-year-old sister with reduced visual acuity (0.16 and 0.2).

12. Recording the existence of scotomas on a periodic basis enables an ophthalmologist to determine whether atrophic SMD may be advancing to hemorrhagic SMD requiring treatment to prevent permanent loss of central vision.