Visual Fields
Visual field testing checks how much you can see around you—your peripheral vision. It’s a quick, painless way to detect changes that might not affect your central vision but could signal conditions like glaucoma, stroke effects, or retinal disease. It’s an important part of maintaining long-term eye health.
What to Expect
Explanation & Preparation
We’ll explain the purpose of the test and answer any questions you have. You’ll be seated comfortably in front of a specialised machine (called a perimeter), with one eye covered at a time.
The Test Itself
You’ll be asked to look straight ahead at a fixed point. Small lights will appear in your peripheral vision, and you’ll press a button each time you see one. It’s important to keep looking forward—even if you see lights out of the corner of your eye.
Assessing the Results
The test results are shown as a map of your visual field. We’ll review this carefully and explain what it means. Any unusual patterns can help detect or monitor conditions like:
Glaucoma
Retinal disease
Neurological issues (e.g. stroke or brain injury)
Optic nerve damage
Follow-Up or Referral
If any concerns arise, we may repeat the test later or refer you for further investigation. For patients with glaucoma or at risk of it, regular visual field tests are key to ongoing management.
