photo credit: Unsplash/pawelskor
Your visual field refers to the area in which you can see objects in all directions as you focus on a single central point. This test of your peripheral vision is simple, painless, and vital in diagnosing and tracking the progress of health conditions.
Are there different types of Visual Fields?
Confrontational Visual Field Test: The patient looks at an object in front of them with one eye covered. While looking at this object the patient will be asked how many fingers they see the doctor holding up in the patient’s periphery.
photo credit: morancore.utah.edu
Automated static perimetry test: The patient looks in the center of a bowl-shaped instrument called a perimeter. Lenses are placed in front of the patient’s tested eye while the other is covered with an eye patch. While looking at the center target, several flashes of light will appear in the patient’s periphery at which point they will use a clicker to indicate when they see them.
photo credit: healthjade.net
Kinetic visual field test: Similar to above but now moving light targets are used instead of blinking lights.
Who needs a Visual Field Test?
Visual fields can be helpful in diagnosing, treatment plans for, and monitoring various conditions such
as:
- 青光眼
- Multiple sclerosis
- Thyroid eye disease
- Strokes
- Finding blind spots (scotomas)
- 糖尿病
- 高血压
Depending on your situation you may be recommended to take a visual field test again in a few weeks, a
few months, or a year.