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Low Vision Assessment and Rehabilitation

Initial Low Vision Assessment

Peripheral Visual Field Testing

Confrontation (face-to-face) visual field testing is done while the patient's gazes on the examiner's nose. The examiner slowly brings a wiggling finger on his extended arm in towards the center, until the patient can detect its presence. The patient's opposite eye is closed. The procedure is repeated in several positions around the field of gaze. Such a simple non-standardized test was quite adequate for his initial assessment.

His peripheral visual fields were normal at the time of testing with this simple but relatively insensitive screening test. Later, his peripheral fields were to be affected as an unavoidable consequence of his extensive panretinal laser photocoagulation treatment.

Standardized visual field testing, such as automated Humphrey perimetry or Goldmann visual field testing would be employed if screening reveals suspected visual field losses.