Visual field tests (perimetry) are used to measure your peripheral vision (how clear your vision is above, below and at the sides of an object you’re looking at). This is a critical test for diagnosing and monitoring many common eye conditions.
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What are visual field tests?
Visual field tests (perimetry) are designed to detect defects in your visual field, which can occur in any of the conditions listed below. They can be used to both diagnose and monitor various eye conditions.
Visual field tests are a way to measure:
- How far to the sides, up and down you can see without moving your eyes
- How clear your vision is across different parts of your visual field (the entire area you can see when you’re looking at an object)
By doing so, visual field tests can help to identify any loss of peripheral or all-round vision.
Are there any risks associated with visual field tests?
No, there are no risks associated with visual field tests (perimetry). You may have some blurred vision if your doctor has dilated your pupils with eye drops, but this is temporary.
Which conditions are visual field tests used for?
Visual field tests detect defects in the visual field. This is one of the core diagnostic components needed to make the diagnosis of glaucoma, alongside other tests. Visual field tests are also used for monitoring various other conditions.
At The London Clinic Eye Centre, we used visual field tests to diagnose and/or monitor:
- Glaucoma – A group of eye conditions that develop when your eye can’t drain fluid properly, leading to an increase in pressure within the eye which can damage the optic nerve.
- Stroke – A stroke occurs when the blood supply to the brain becomes blocked or reduced, preventing brain cells from receiving oxygen and nutrients, which can lead to cell death.
- Brain tumours – A brain tumour grows from brain cells, such as those in the pituitary gland. Many types of brain tumours exist, and they can be malignant (cancerous) or benign (non-cancerous).
- Multiple sclerosis – A neurological condition in which your immune system produces antibodies that incorrectly attack the myelin surrounding and protecting your nerves.
- Thyroid eye disease – An autoimmune condition, often associated with an overactive thyroid gland (Graves’ disease), which can cause inflammation in the eye muscles and tissues.
State-of-the-art diagnostics
At The London Clinic Eye Centre, we use the Humphrey Field Analyser, the gold standard in visual field testing and widely trusted in glaucoma management and major clinical trials. This advanced technology ensures high diagnostic accuracy and also assesses vision for driving and diagnoses neurological conditions, such as stroke, optic neuritis, and pituitary tumours.
Our world-renowned experts interpret test results with clinical insight, using them alongside other diagnostics and patient history to inform precise diagnoses and treatment plans. These results are crucial in managing glaucoma progression and ensuring optimal patient care.
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What to expect during and after a optical coherence tomography scan?
Step 1 Preparing for your visual field test
You don’t need to do any specific preparation for any visual field tests (perimetry), as they are all straightforward and non-invasive. The only measure you may need to take is to ask someone to drive you home after your appointment. This is because, for some tests, your ophthalmologist may use eye drops to dilate (widen) your pupils, and these can make your vision blurry for a while afterwards.
Step 2 During the visual field test
What happens during the test will depend on the type of test chosen by your ophthalmologist. They may use a confrontation test, where your doctor will hold up an object or a few fingers and ask how much you can see while you look at the target. Alternatively, they may use an automated test, like the Humphrey Field Analyser which maps your visual field. For this test, you’ll sit in front of a bowl-shaped machine and respond by pressing buttons as objects appear. Visual field tests usually take around 10 minutes per eye.
Step 3 Review and next steps
Your ophthalmologist should be able to give you your results straight after you’ve undergone testing. At this point, you will be told whether you had a ‘normal’ visual field test (which just means that you can see as well as other people without vision issues) or whether you have some vision loss.
In the latter case, your consultant may make a diagnosis, order some more tests to help them make a diagnosis or refer you to a different specialist. However, which action they choose to take will depend on which condition they think is causing your vision loss.
Regardless of your results, you should be able to go straight home once you’ve received them.
Why choose The London Clinic Eye Centre?
The London Clinic Eye Centre provides the highest standards of eye care. Our team of expert ophthalmologists work in partnership with world leaders and experts from all aspects of medicine, combining state-of-the-art diagnostics with cutting-edge therapies to deliver a best-in-class service to a global audience.
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