Visual fields in neuro-ophthalmology

1. The gathering and interpretation of visual fields is important to a thorough neuro-ophthalmic evaluation. The technique of visual field measurement is essential to the proper characterization of visual field defects and must be tailored to each patient in respect to his or her ability to perform a particular test. 2. The techniques for visual field measurement include Amsler grid, confrontation using fingers or colored objects, tangent screen, manual bowl perimeters, and automated static perimeters. 3. The ability to characterize a visual field defect and interpret its relationship to disease involves a combination of knowledge of the anatomy of the visual pathways and the use of the appropriate visual field examination strategy. Once it has been determined--by simple and expeditious confrontation visual field techniques--whether the defect is present centrally or only in the peripheral visual field, a selection of more formal visual field examination can be made.