Visual Field test

I had a visual field test the other day and the results were not as perfect as usual. Dr. noticed a slight defect in my right eye. Normally when I go in to have a visual field test done, it is the only test for the day. This time however, the Dr put eye drops in my eyes to numb my eyes so that he could test my pressure (tonometry) and then he used a new machine (forgot name) to test the amount of fluid in my eyes, right after I was immediately sent to do my visual field test. I felt very uncomfortable to say the least. Would the eye drops effect my vision?, hence influence my VF?


Also, are visual field tests usually conducted without corrective lenses?

Thanks

Lady Pit

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

Visual field defects are very concerning as there are some very serious things that can cause them such as glaucoma or stroke.

I would worrry that you are under the care of a non-MD optometrist.

If so I would suggest strongly that you see an Eye MD ophthalmologist. When you schedule be sure to tell them you need a visual field exam. Get a copy of your VF from the optom.

If you are seeing an Eye MD get a second opinon

JCH MD

[LadyPit]

Thanks, the MD was an Opthalmologist

Could the numbing drops influence my visual field testing and are these tests usually conducted without the patients corrective lense?

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

1, Drops to numb cornea will not usually affect test.
2. The test is normally done WITH corrective lens in place. Not glasses but with the RX just in front of the eye with what are called trial lens

JCH MD

[mkoditek]

"I would worrry that you are under the care of a non-MD optometrist."

Would you care to clarify?   I'm curious as to what your specific worry is.

Thanks,
Mike

[houdi259]

my husband failed field vision test at optitians and was therefore sent to eye department at local hospital where he also failed it! What does this mean, he is healthy and 50 years old.

[Mpkline]

Apparently the good Doctor is of the opinion that an Optometrist doesn't have as much eye training as he does. An Optometrist goes to 4 years of college, and then to 4 years of Optometry school focusing specifically on the eye. An Ophthalmologist goes to 4 years of college, 4 years of med school...then decides on a specialty, and does another 3-4 years of interning within that specialty. It is an old cliche that an Opthalmologist knows more than optometrist. times have changed and optomotists are more than capable of handling a patients primary visual needs. If a surgery is needed that an opthalmologist would be needed for certain procedures. Older MD's have a had time accepting Optometrists. Optometry started over 100 years ago as Optcians tha thad the ability to check  prescriptions(Refract). So yes  as little as 50 years ago Optometrists did have less training. But if you are seeing an Optometrist that graduated post 1970 I'd say your in good hands. And yes not all Optometrists or Ophthalmologists are great...you can the most education in the world...but that doesn't matter if your an *******.
Michael P. Kline, COT, ABOC-AC, NCLE-AC