Visual Field Testing

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A detailed look at your central and peripheral vision

A visual field test measures how much you can see while looking straight ahead, including your central and side vision. It can detect areas of reduced vision that may not always be noticeable in everyday life.

At Wanganui Eyecare, visual field testing can be used to investigate visual symptoms and to help assess or monitor certain eye and neurological conditions.

What is a visual field test?

Your visual field is the full area you can see without moving your eyes — from what is directly in front of you to what you can see out to either side.

During the test, small points of light appear in different areas while you keep your eyes focused on a central target. You press a button whenever you see a light, allowing the instrument to build a detailed map of your vision. Each eye is tested separately.

Why might I need a visual field test?

Your optometrist may recommend visual field testing when they need more information about how different areas of your vision are functioning.

Visual field testing may be recommended when assessing or monitoring:

Glaucoma or suspected glaucoma
Changes affecting the optic nerve
Unexplained areas of reduced or missing vision
Certain neurological conditions
Visual symptoms requiring further investigation
Some driving, occupational or medical vision requirements

Visual field testing is often considered alongside other findings from your eye examination, such as eye pressure, examination of the optic nerve and Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT).

What happens during the test?

You will sit comfortably in front of the visual field machine and one eye will be tested at a time.

While you look steadily at a central target, small lights will appear in different places. You simply press a button whenever you see one.

Some of the lights are deliberately very faint, so you are not expected to see every one. The test is painless, non-invasive and nothing touches your eye.

What do the results show?

Your results create a map showing how sensitive different areas of your vision are. Your optometrist will interpret this alongside your other examination findings. This can help identify areas that may require further investigation or ongoing monitoring.

When visual field testing is repeated over time, results can also be compared to help determine whether your vision is remaining stable or changing.

Why might the test need to be repeated?

Visual field testing relies on concentration and can take a little practice, particularly if you have never done the test before. Sometimes a test may be repeated to confirm a result or obtain a more reliable result. Being asked to repeat the test does not necessarily mean that there is a problem with your vision.