Visual field or field of vision is defined as the area that is perceived simultaneously by a fixating eye. The limits of the normal field of vision are 60° into the superior field, 75° into the inferior field, 110° temporally, and 60° nasally. Traquair, described visual field as an island of vision in the sea of darkness . The island represents the perceived field of vision, and the sea of darkness is the surrounding areas that are not seen. 

Visual field is gradually lost starting first at the periphery and usually last centrally in Glaucoma.

The image at the top of the page shows how a normal visual field(left of the page) in the left eye of a glaucoma patient is gradually getting worse over years leading to almost complete loss of the visual field and resulting in tunnel vision (the visual field at the right of the page).

Therefore visual field testing is an important piece of investigation to diagnose glaucoma and to monitor the progression of glaucoma.

Mr Raj will be requesting your visual field test for the following reasons:

First: The test will show if your field of vision was normal or was indicating glaucoma

Second: The test will help provide a baseline which will be useful in future comparison to evaluate and pick up any progressive loss of the visual field due to glaucoma.

Other reasons: Visual field test is also useful in monitoring some neurological conditions (like after operation/treatment for a brain tumour).

DVLA may ask you to have a different visual field test where you will have to keep both your eyes open as opposed to your visual field test you will be doing for glaucoma (with one eye at a time).

If your visual field was found to be progressively and quickly deteriorating, Mr Raj will most likely modify your glaucoma treatment, may offer you option of laser treatment or he might discuss with you the option of glaucoma drainage surgery to slow down the rate of your visual field loss and preserve your sight. It is important to reiterate that visual field and vision once lost due to glaucoma can not be restored or regained.

Depending on the stage of your glaucoma and stability of your glaucoma Mr Raj will be advising repeat visual field test for you usually anywhere from as frequently as 3-4 monthly to as sparingly as yearly or even longer. 

For private patients & referrals

Mr Akash Raj 

Consultant Ophthalmologist, Glaucoma specialist & Cataract surgeon

Stourside Hospital (part of West midland Hospital)

60 Bradley Road

Stourbridge

DY8 1UX

01384 505 183

(Alternate:

Monday Evenings)

Appointments:

01384 912966

Private Secretary: Tara Ralph : 01384 632 636 

Mr Akash Raj

Consultant Ophthalmologist, Glaucoma & Cataract specialist.

 

For NHS Referrals through GP/Opticians

Mr Akash Raj

Consultant Ophthalmologist (Glaucoma Lead)

Russells Hall Hospital

Pensnett Road

Dudley

West Midlands

DY1 2HQ

Phone: 01384456111

Extn. 5815 (NHS Secretary: Lyn Eaton)