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Visual Field Test
What is a Visual Field Test? How can it help in the differentiating MS from other conditions?
Hi Phyllis2010. A visual field test checks peripheral vision. If you've ever had a doctor ask you to look straight ahead and then tell him when you begin to see his wiggling fingers move in from the sides, top or bottom - you have had a very elementary visual field exam.
The ophthalmologist does a much more sophisticated exam with technology that uses blinking lights of varying intensity to map out your visual field and record it on paper. There is no preparation, drugs or pain but it can be a tiring test as it takes some concentration.
The visual field exam will indicate problems with vision long before a eye chart exam will and can pinpoint specific areas of visual loss. Like most other tests, it is evaluated within the context of a physical/visual exam by the doctor and other testing you have done to interpret results most accurately.
It is also the type of test that is done repeatedly over time to track the progress of eye, optic nerve or brain disease.
Here's a site with some specific information. It's mainly about glaucoma but gives a nice explanation of how the test works.
http://www.willsglaucoma.org/testing/vf.html
Mary
The ophthalmologist does a much more sophisticated exam with technology that uses blinking lights of varying intensity to map out your visual field and record it on paper. There is no preparation, drugs or pain but it can be a tiring test as it takes some concentration.
The visual field exam will indicate problems with vision long before a eye chart exam will and can pinpoint specific areas of visual loss. Like most other tests, it is evaluated within the context of a physical/visual exam by the doctor and other testing you have done to interpret results most accurately.
It is also the type of test that is done repeatedly over time to track the progress of eye, optic nerve or brain disease.
Here's a site with some specific information. It's mainly about glaucoma but gives a nice explanation of how the test works.
http://www.willsglaucoma.org/testing/vf.html
Mary
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