So - let us attempt to resolve your problem the politically correct, and still efficient way. It turns out that this way is possibly easier to understand too. I'm recommending using a hash which contains subroutine references. The code (Untested, unparsed) will look something like this :

sub main_menu($$){
  --code to handle main
}
sub other_menu($$){
  --code
}

my %dispach_sub =(
    main_menu=>\&main_menu ,
    other_menu=>\&other_menu
);

..after reading the data file into $var,

$dispach_sub($var)($screenpos1, $screenpos2);
...
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As NetWallah notes, you want to use a dispatch table, as it allows you to check for the existance of the sub before you call it (one of the "various valid reasons relating to maintainability and security"). However, there is no need to have to deal with such annoying syntax. Check out Exporter::Dispatch on the CPAN. It will make your life much easier. For instance, NetWallah's sample now becomes even cleaner. First the table definition: (with the prototypes removed, as they are pointless in this situation)

package Options;
use Exporter::Dispatch;

sub main_menu {
    ...
}

sub other_menu {
    ...
}
[download]

And then the call (with the addition of an existance check):

my $var = ...;
my %dispatch_sub = create_dptable Options;
$dispatch_sub{$var}->($screenpos1, $screenpos2) if exists $dispatch_su
+b{$var};
[download]