Effectiveness of testing visual fields by confrontation

doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(01)06448-0

The Lancet

Volume 358, Issue 9290, 20 October 2001, Pages 1339-1340

https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(01)06448-0 Get rights and content

Summary

Many tests are used to examine visual fields by confrontation, but such methods have not been thoroughly compared with an accepted reference standard. The choice of test might affect the identification of subtle defects in the visual field. We prospectively compared seven confrontation field tests with full-threshold automated static perimetry among 138 outpatients in an eye clinic. Our primary outcome was detection of a defect in the visual field. With automated perimetry, most field defects were small or shallow. Most confrontation field tests were insensitive in the identification of field loss. The most sensitive method was examination of the central 20° visual field with a small red target (73% [95% CI 63–82]). Assessment of the visual field should thus include such a test.

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There are more references available in the full text version of this article.

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Citation Excerpt :
A second limitation of our study is the use of confrontation methods rather than standardized perimetry for visual field assessment. We used a combination of confrontation techniques which are sensitive (74%) and specific (90%) in detecting visual field defects [15,34]. All visual field assessments were done by experts in glaucoma and neuro-ophthalmology.
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Research LettersEffectiveness of testing visual fields by confrontation

Summary

Am J Ophthalmol

Confrontation visual field tests

Ophthal Physiol Opt

Research Letters
Effectiveness of testing visual fields by confrontation