Your Visual Field Test
Your visual field is the total area that you see in front of you and to the sides. When plotted on a piece of paper, the field is roughly circular extending about ninety degrees to the temple side and sixty degrees to the nose side. Since you have two eyes, the overlapping fields allow you to see in an arc of one hundred and eighty degrees.
Certain diseases can cause a loss of visual field and unless the defect is extensive you will not be aware of it, hence the need for accurate testing.
The Humphrey Field Analyzer 2 that we use is the latest technology in visual field testing. It uses a computer controlled, projected beam of light to map the visual field which is then compared by a computer against a database of normals. Your doctor will examine the visual field results and from the type and location of the defect (if any) can tell where in the visual system the problem might lie.
The field test is also used to monitor possible progression of diseases like glaucoma and can indicate if more intensive therapy is needed or even if any therapy at all is needed.
The test takes less than half an hour, and is performed by one of our technicians.
Generally, you will not need eye drops for this test so it will not affect your vision or driving ability.
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