Exam Overview
A perimetry test (visual field test)
measures all areas of your eyesight, including your side, or peripheral,
vision.
To do the test, you sit and look inside a bowl-shaped
instrument called a perimeter. While you stare at the center of the bowl,
lights flash. You press a button each time you see a flash. A computer records
the spot of each flash and if you pressed the button when the light flashed in
that spot.
At the end of the test, a printout shows if there are
areas of your vision where you did not see the flashes of light. These are
areas of vision loss. Loss of peripheral vision is often an early sign of
glaucoma.
Why It Is Done
A perimetry test can help find
certain patterns of vision loss. This may mean a certain type of eye disease is
present. It is very useful in finding early changes in vision caused by nerve
damage from glaucoma.
Regular perimetry tests can be used to see
if treatment for glaucoma is preventing further vision loss.
Results
The amount of peripheral vision loss is
linked to the amount of optic nerve damage.
A perimetry test makes a detailed
record of your visual fields. Baseline information, descriptions, or drawings
can be compared with future test results.
What To Think About
A perimetry test is a good test
to find vision loss caused by glaucoma.
A perimetry test can be
done quickly, but it may take more than 45 minutes when both eyes are
tested.
Complete the medical test information form (PDF)(What is a PDF document?) to help you prepare for this test.
Credits
ByHealthwise Staff
Primary Medical ReviewerAdam Husney, MD - Family Medicine
Specialist Medical ReviewerChristopher J. Rudnisky, MD, MPH, FRCSC - Ophthalmology
Current as ofMarch 3, 2017