Visual Field Testing

Published on
December 4, 2023
Related articles

Automated full-threshold visual field-testing is an important assessment your optometrist may recommend as part of your comprehensive eye examination. Visual field testing is used to evaluate how well the periphery of your vision is functioning; this is different to testing your central vision using standard letter charts in the exam room. The test helps to detect and monitor eye conditions – early detection is the best practice to ensure your best vision is maintained.

Many ocular conditions such as glaucoma, retinal vein occlusion, optic neuropathy, brain tumours and stroke can lead to visual field defects. It is important to measure these defects to help the diagnosis of new conditions and monitor the progression of known eye conditions. Around 50% of the eye’s retinal nerves can be lost before a patient notices a visual field defect themselves – this highlights why early detection of these conditions with the help of a visual field analyser is essential.

Our Adelaide practice is equipped with a Heidelberg Edge Perimeter, and at our Henley Beach practice we use the Medmont M700 Visual Field Analyser. A visual field test is generally performed one eye at a time and takes approximately 5-10 minutes per eye, with you pressing a button whenever a spot of light appears in your peripheral vision. These tests get easier with practice, so don’t be surprised if you miss a few spots in your first run!

The retinal photograph below shows a patient with advanced glaucoma in the left eye. The optic nerve is quite excavated due to significant nerve fibre loss.

This has led to a visual field defect as seen in the test below. Sadly, as you can see, most of the top half of this patient’s vision is now irreversibly blind.

FAQs

Please browse through some of our most frequently asked questions on this topic.

No items found.
Contact

Related articles

Please browse through our collection of related articles.

View all
Eye Imaging Technology
4 min read

Visual Field Testing

Automated full-threshold visual field testing is an important assessment your...
Read more
Eye Imaging Technology
7 min read

Wavefront Aberrometry

Innovative Eye Care’s Wakefield Street practice was the first Optometry practice in...
Read more
Eye Imaging Technology
5 min read

Retinal Imaging

At Innovative Eye Care, your optometrist will take photographs of the...
Read more
Eye Imaging Technology
5 min read

Optical Coherance Tomography Angiography (OCT-A)

Optical coherence tomography angiography (OCT-A) is a non-invasive scan that creates a three-dimensional image of the network of blood vessels in your eye
Read more
Eye Imaging Technology
8 min read

Optical and Ultrasound Biometry

An ocular biometer measures the size and shape of the eye, specifically axial...
Read more
Eye Imaging Technology
6 min read

Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT)

Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is a non-contact, non-invasive technique t...
Read more
Eye Imaging Technology
3 min read

Fundus Autofluoresence

Fundus autofluorescence (FAF) is a non-invasive, high-definition scan...
Read more
Eye Imaging Technology
6 min read

Corneal Topography

Integral to our Adelaide and Henley Beach practices so heavily involved with ...
Read more
Eye Imaging Technology
5 min read

Corneal Tomography

The Pentacam AXL Wave is the latest addition to Innovative Eye Care’s arsenal...
Read more
Eye Imaging Technology
4 min read

Anterior Ocular Imaging

Anterior imaging (imaging of the front of the eye) is vital for detecting and...
Read more
View all

Speak to our friendly team today

Book your appointment now for personalised eye care tailored just for you.

Middle aged man using VR headset

Follow us on Instagram and Facebook to see what we’ve been up to!

Stay In Sight

Sign up to our newsletter for the latest in eye care, exclusive offers, and a peek into the future of eyewear.

By clicking Sign Up you're confirming that you agree with our Terms and Conditions.
Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.