Eye Field Tests

[jules13]

Has anybody had one? I had one in June and was scared to death by the Optician. He said the test failed twice in the same place and reffered me to the hospital. I didn't like the optician (not just cos he told me that) and I've been worried about it ever since.

 

On Saturday I had another test at another optician's. They did the field test again just on the eye thats supposed to have the problem. It did miss in a few spots but he said if he'd done the test he doesn't know if he'd have sent me to the hospital or not.

 

The appointment is on Tuesday and although I feel better about it now i saw the 2nd optician i've still not looking forward to it. Has anybody else been sent to the hospital for this? I'm going to Rotherham. The letter says I may be there most of the morning, and I might have to have some drops.

[Jabberwocky]

Its the thing where you look into a box with little flashing lights isnt it? I went to the Leicester royal to have it done.

[jules13]

Yep thats the one

[Jabberwocky]

Well i just looked it up and i got this:

 

Visual field test

The area in space that may be visualized by the eye is known as the visual field. Plotting of the visual field is important for many disorders, particularly disorders of the optic nerve and brain. This would include glaucoma (an optic nerve disorder), strokes, and brain tumors. Patients often incorrectly assume that because they can see their hand waving off in the periphery, their peripheral vision is fine. However, testing peripheral vision with such a gross test as a waving hand is likely only to be useful for the most severe losses of peripheral vision, as sometimes occurs in stroke. The much more common and subtle peripheral vision deficits may only be detected by the sophisticated methodology of a computerized visual field analyzer. This device systematically plots the field of vision using threshold testing, which allows the determination of retinal sensitivity in any given location. The ophthalmologist then interprets the results. A visual field analyzer is most often used to evaluate and follow patients with suspected or actual glaucoma.

 

My sight is really really crappy but i passed the field tests in spite of having practically no peripheral vision.

So god knows what they bother to use them for. Did they mention anything else to you about your sight?

[medusa]

I have lots of tests on my eyes as part of my general eye test, because I'm in a very high risk group for all sorts of retinal problems and glaucoma, but I'm very relieved to say that another year has passed without me needing to see anybody other than the optician for them.

 

I think at the hospital they'll try to work out if there's any identifiable reason for why your field of vision is being reduced- there are hundreds of conditions that could cause problems, and sometimes reduction in field is just down to age related macular degeneration that is a normal part of the ageing process.

 

I think it's very likely that your optician was being very cautious, and that there's nothing really to worry about, but the purpose of the test is not to diagnose, but to sift through the large number of people who get their eyes tested and just to identify those with a potential issue and pass them on to the hospital for further monitoring.

 

Put it this way- if there's somethig simple that can be done to halt whatever problem may be causing this (many eye problems are treated with medication in the form of drops, for instance), would you rather wait and risk your sight being permanently damaged as a result?

[jules13]

Of course, and I'm not not going. The attitude of the first person I saw just really scared me. I've been wearing glasses for 30 years (and i'm only 35!) go for eye tests every two years and stuff and this is the first time I've been sent to the hospital.

I am on high blood pressure meds and Thyroxine. I'm not good with eyes and hate stuff going in them which is why I don't wear contact lenses, I remember being pinned down to have eye drops put in when I was little which doesn't help my nerves

[S8 Blade]

Of course, and I'm not not going. The attitude of the first person I saw just really scared me. I've been wearing glasses for 30 years (and i'm only 35!) go for eye tests every two years and stuff and this is the first time I've been sent to the hospital.

I am on high blood pressure meds and Thyroxine. I'm not good with eyes and hate stuff going in them which is why I don't wear contact lenses, I remember being pinned down to have eye drops put in when I was little which doesn't help my nerves

Don't worry about it! The optician has to refer you on to your doctor/hospital for investigation. An optician can't diagnose anything - they can only pass you on - it may only be cautious - but you should be thankful for it. Think you'd be bit narked off if they didn't refer you on and there was something wrong. It could have been that when you saw the first optician, there was something showing up, but when you saw the second - it didn't.. it does happen! It could be that when you get to the hospital there will be absolutely nothing wrong at all! Don't worry about it at all

 

The drops they probably want to put it will be to dilate your pupils so that the ophthalmologist can see right to the back of your eyes. They can make your slight blurry for anything to around 6hrs, so it's advisable to get a lift if you can, or go on the bus. Take some sunglasses too, as when you go outside afterwards it can be a bit bright as your pupils are wider than they normally are in bright light! They're very quick - and if you're worried about having drops put in, be relaxed. The doctor/nurse does it hundreds of times a day, and even if children's eyes (they kick and scream much more I assure you!).

 

Let us know how you go on Don't be worried - just see it as a deeper check-up than an eye test. The hospital have got much more advanced machinery and test equipment than an opticians has.

 

Look after your eyes!