The visual field is the entire area that we can see when we focus on a central point, including our peripheral or side vision.

When you go in for a comprehensive eye exam, your doctor may recommend a visual field test. This is a quick and painless exam that checks for blind spots or loss of peripheral vision. It determines if you have any vision loss in the side, upper, or lower areas of your visual field.

Why is visual field testing important?

Whether you’re at higher risk for eye diseases or just looking for peace of mind, visual field testing is an essential part of eye care. This quick and painless test helps your eye doctor assess your peripheral vision and detect any blind spots or other issues. By catching any potential issues early on, you and your doctor can take steps to address them and prevent further damage to your eyesight.

Who should get visual field testing?

Your eye doctor may recommend visual field testing if you have certain risk factors, such as:

• A family history of glaucoma or other eye diseases
• A history of eye injuries or surgeries
• Diabetes or high blood pressure
• A history of migraines or other neurological conditions
• Taking certain medications that can affect your vision

If you’re over the age of 40, your eye doctor may recommend regular visual field testing, even if you don’t have any specific risk factors. As we age, our risk for certain eye conditions increases. Regular eye exams, including visual field testing, can help ensure that any issues are caught early and treated promptly.

Zeiss Humphrey Visual Field Analyzer

At True Focus Eye Care in Port Richey, we offer advanced visual field testing using the Zeiss Humphrey Visual Field Analyzer. The Humphrey analyzer measures the entire area of your peripheral vision to detect early signs of visual field loss. By using the Humphrey Field Analyzer, we can detect even the slightest changes in your vision. It is useful for diagnosing and monitoring a variety of issues, including glaucoma, optic nerve damage, and certain neurological conditions.

The test is quick, painless, and only takes about 20 minutes. During the test, you will sit in front of the machine and focus on a central point while small lights of varying intensities appear in your peripheral vision. Our doctor will ask you to press a button whenever you see a light. We will then analyze the test results to identify any areas of vision loss or abnormalities.

If you’re concerned about vision loss, contact our office today to schedule a comprehensive eye exam in Port Richey.