Visual Field Testing

While many people think of vision care as simply checking how clearly they can see letters on an eye chart, eye health goes far beyond 20/20 vision. Some of the most serious eye affect your peripheral vision first, often without obvious symptoms. At Mission Optometric Center, we offer visual field testing as a key diagnostic tool to detect early changes in your vision and safeguard your long-term eye health.

What Is Visual Field Testing?

Visual field testing is a diagnostic eye exam that measures the full scope of your vision, from central to peripheral. It helps our optometrists determine how well you can see in all directions. Unlike the standard eye chart test, which only checks clarity of sight straight ahead, visual field testing evaluates your side vision and identifies any blind spots or areas of reduced sensitivity.

Why You Need It

Visual field testing is vital because certain eye diseases and neurological issues can develop quietly, without pain or noticeable changes to central vision. Conditions that may be detected through this test include:

• Glaucoma: A leading cause of blindness that damages the optic nerve and typically begins with peripheral vision loss.

• Retinal Conditions: Such as retinal detachment, diabetic retinopathy, or retinitis pigmentosa.

• Optic Nerve Damage: From trauma, inflammation, or poor blood flow.

• Neurological Conditions: Strokes, brain tumors, and multiple sclerosis can all affect the visual pathway in the brain.

Catching these issues early through visual field testing allows for quicker treatment and better outcomes.

How It Works and What to Expect

Visual field testing is a comfortable and straightforward process:

• Preparation: You’ll sit in front of a dome-shaped machine with your chin resting on a support.

• One Eye at a Time: The test is performed separately for each eye, while the other is gently covered.

• Stimuli Presentation: Small lights or patterns will appear in various areas of your vision.

• Response: Each time you see a light, you press a button. Your responses are recorded by the machine.

• Mapping Vision: The computer creates a detailed map showing areas where your vision is strong and areas where it may be weaker.

The entire test typically takes less than 15 minutes, is non-invasive, and provides your doctor with valuable insight into your visual health.

Benefits of Early Detection

The most powerful advantage of visual field testing is early detection. Many serious conditions, such as glaucoma, don’t cause symptoms until vision loss is advanced and irreversible. By identifying subtle changes early, your optometrist can:

• Begin treatment before permanent vision loss occurs

• Monitor disease progression more effectively

• Adjust treatment plans based on measurable results

• Give you peace of mind knowing your vision is being carefully protected

Early detection means early intervention - often the difference between preserving sight and facing long-term vision challenges.

Take the Next Step Toward Healthy Eyesight

Visual field testing is a critical safeguard for your long-term vision and overall health. By detecting changes in peripheral vision, this test helps uncover conditions that might otherwise go unnoticed until it’s too late.

​​​​​​​At Mission Optometric Center, we believe in proactive care and thorough testing to protect your eyesight. Schedule your eye exam and experience the benefits of early detection through visual field testing.