VISUAL FIELDS

[Christine]

What is visual fields and how does it work?
I have to learn this.

Christine

[Mike Fretto]

If I'm not mistaken a Visual Field tests for Macular Degeneration the patientsits with their face in a little booth and they hold a little button. Little lights flash on a screen in the booth in different positions on the sreen when the patient sees the lights the push the button. When the test is over the system generates a printout indicating any blind spots the patient may have.

[Christine]

THANKS.
I think you are right.
Christine

[chip anderson]

Not Exactly: It is a test to determine blind vs. seeing areas of the retina. Originally done with a tangent screen and a looney wand. More modern versions have a smaller screen (hemisphere) and semi-automatic pointer. Patient pushes a button when light appears/disappears. Used to detect vision loss from glaucoma, macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, retinopathy, etc.

Good Ol'e Boy, Chip

[Christine]

Thanks for the information.
Christine

[stephanie]

Hi Christine! Visual fields check your side vision. They are used to check for a variety of eye diseases such as glaucoma. From what I understand they can even detect things like tumors. Pretty high tech stuff!!! The machines are very easy to operate so don't worry about it. It is pretty boring though. You just enter in patient data get an appropriate test lens, start the test and make sure pt doesn't move and then print it out. You'll do just fine. If you can operate an auto refractor you can do this with no problem. Like I said though it is pretty boring.
Have a great day!!!
Steph

[Phil]

Visual fields are like a catscan for the human visual system. They are usually done on patients that are glaucoma suspects. They can also reveal blind spots that can be caused by strokes. They can be programmed for different sensitivities, giving a more detailed info about the visual field. As stated previously, very little training is required. Hope this helps!

Phil

[Christine]

THANKS,
Christine