NEUROMYELITIS OPTICA

VISUAL FIELD TEST

Overview and Facts

The Visual Field Test is an eye test that measures the scope or coverage of an individual’s eyesight, including the peripheral and the central vision. This is done by an ophthalmologist to know how much vision has been lost over time and how much vision you have in either eye. This test can diagnose if you have scotoma (blind spots) in your eyes. Also, this is done to assess how vision may be affected and limited due to eyelid problems such as ptosis and droopy eyelids.

Generally, this test is used to diagnose further health problems, such as the following:

  • Macular degeneration
  • Macoma
  • Multiple sclerosis
  • Stroke
  • Temporal arteritis
  • Central nervous system disorders
  • High blood pressure
  • Pituitary gland disorder
  • Brain tumor
  • Optic glioma

In some cases, after the visual test, if an eye condition is not seen as the cause of any visual problem, the doctor will order blood tests or physical exams to determine the condition accurately.

Types and Symptoms

TYPES

  • Confrontational Visual Field Test

This is the most common way for doctors to screen problems in the visual field. In this test, one of your eyes will be covered, and you will be asked to look directly at an object in front of you. Holding up a set of fingers on the peripheral side, your doctor will ask questions such as how many objects did you see as you look at the target. As reported, this test is not as accurate as the other comprehensive tests done in the visual field.

  • Automated Perimetry Test

To further check and detect eye problems, this test is conducted. This is done to check suspected eye problems and monitor the gradual progress of eye disease.  This test made use of a computer program in testing the visual field. Automatically, this program will give the doctor a map of the person’s visible area. The result will then be used to diagnose the problem or order another set of visual tests for further examination.

  • Tangent Screen Exam

It can be conducted simply in the clinic of the eye doctor. In this process, a computer will generate images in the different areas of the screen. The information collected by your doctor will be used to map your visual field. The assigned visual field will help the doctor determine the areas that you cannot see. Moreover, the detected regions will lead to the diagnosis of any visual problem that the patient may have.

Diagnosis & Medications

DIAGNOSIS

Who performs Visual Field Test

Ophthalmologists and Optometrists perform this test. Also, neurologists perform this type of analysis. As professionals who are allowed to conduct this test, they are well trained on the administration, assessment and interpretation of the results.

How long does it take for the visual field test to get done?

  • Confrontation Visual Field – a few minutes
  • Static Field for Complete Glaucoma Evaluation – more or less 15 minutes.
  • Amsler Grid – a few minutes
  • Static Field (Lid Droop or Ptosis Screening) – more or less 8 minutes

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