How is the evaluation done?

The evaluation of a visual field examination is the responsibility of an ophthalmologist or specialized optician. The examination provides a series of data and diagrams. With the help of these data, the physician can now determine in which area a visual field defect exists and thus draw conclusions about possible causes.

Usually, the graphs show 2 crosses representing the two eyes. Around the crosses, points or the like are entered to represent the visual field. In the best case, an approximately circular shape should be created on both sides at the end.

Physiologically, the field of vision is wider on the outside than on the inside, because on the inside of both eyes the nose restricts the field of vision. If there is a disease that leads to a loss of visual field or the like, this can be seen in the missing entries in the diagram. By interpreting these failures, one can now conclude on the completeness of the visual field, but also on the size and location of dark spots, so-called scotomas. Subsequently, further causes can be specified for an exact diagnosis.

Possible results

Failures in the visual field are called scotomas. There are different types of scotomas. The failures can be located centrally at the point of sharpest vision and thus impair visual acuity, or they can be located outside the center. Complete failures also occur. Quarters or even halves of the field of vision may have failed.

What to do if the result is bad?

If the result is poor, further examinations are usually undertaken. Often patients complain about dark spots in their vision, so a bad result is not surprising. On the other hand, healthy patients relatively seldom experience abnormalities in the visual field. Through the examination, the doctor can now say more precisely where the cause could lie and therefore carry out more specific examinations. In some cases, for example, a CT scan of the head is performed afterwards.