Humphrey Visual Field Analyzer
A visual field test is done to determine how well a person can see in their peripheral (side) vision. A visual field test will detect if there are any areas of side vision loss and can indicate a specific eye disease, like glaucoma. To do the test, you sit and look into a bowl-shaped instrument called a perimeter. While you stare straight ahead at a target, you click a button every time you see flashes of light of different intensities in your side vision. A computer printout then shows a map of the light thresholds your eye was able see. The test can take between 3-5 minutes per eye.
Visual field testing is particularly important for patients with disorders of the optic nerve such as glaucoma and other neurological conditions such as multiple sclerosis or stroke. With repeated visual field tests your optometrist can monitor if your eye diseases is stable or if there is progression of your field loss, they can adjust your treatment to prevent further filed loss.
OHIP covers visual field tests for those under age 20 or over 65, and for those patients who otherwise are covered under OHIP for their eye examinations. Sometimes patients are required to do a visual field test to ensure they meet the Ministry of Transportation (MTO) vision standards for their drivers license. This is not covered by OHIP and is subject to a fee.
A visual field test is done to determine how well a person can see in their peripheral (side) vision. A visual field test will detect if there are any areas of side vision loss and can indicate a specific eye disease, like glaucoma. To do the test, you sit and look into a bowl-shaped instrument called a perimeter. While you stare straight ahead at a target, you click a button every time you see flashes of light of different intensities in your side vision. A computer printout then shows a map of the light thresholds your eye was able see. The test can take between 3-5 minutes per eye.
Visual field testing is particularly important for patients with disorders of the optic nerve such as glaucoma and other neurological conditions such as multiple sclerosis or stroke. With repeated visual field tests your optometrist can monitor if your eye diseases is stable or if there is progression of your field loss, they can adjust your treatment to prevent further filed loss.
OHIP covers visual field tests for those under age 20 or over 65, and for those patients who otherwise are covered under OHIP for their eye examinations. Sometimes patients are required to do a visual field test to ensure they meet the Ministry of Transportation (MTO) vision standards for their drivers license. This is not covered by OHIP and is subject to a fee.