The OCTOPUS visual field perimeter is a diagnostic device used to test a patient’s entire visual field including central (straight ahead) vision and side vision (peripheral vision).  Just how much we can see of the world around us is known as our visual field.

It is a simple and painless procedure that takes only a few minutes per eye.  It is based on automated perimetry, where repeated light stimuli of varying intensities appear in different parts of the field.  Lights of a known intensity are presented to a patient in all areas of their visual field.  If the patient responds that they saw the light, the brightness is reduced until they are no longer detected.  Fields are charted on the basis of a patient’s perception of these lights.  The results obtained from the patient are then compared with those of the age matched normal population and the amount of damage is quantified.

This quantified data allows for the early diagnosis and management of glaucoma, intracranial tumors, neurological disorders, headaches, retinal problems, stroke, multiple sclerosis, sudden vision loss and other conditions.

Progression is monitored utilizing advanced software to detect changes from baseline fields.  This test is invaluable in diagnosing, monitoring and treating patients with glaucoma, where peripheral vision is irreversibly lost without symptoms until later stages.  The visual field test can provide critical data to assist your doctor in caring for your long-term ocular health!