Equipment

Visual Field Examination Equipment

As well as testing your visual acuity it is important to examine your peripheral vision or field of view. Defects in your field of view can be a sign of certain diseases, especially glaucoma, and regular screening can aid the early detection of these conditions.

We have two instruments that can test your visual field. For screening purposes we use a Frequency Doubling machine. This tests the central part of your field of view and takes only 30 seconds per eye. For more extended visual field examinations and specific tests, such as the Estermann field test, which is a test used by the DVLA, we use a Humphrey Field Analyzer. This test can take slightly longer, usually 3 minutes per eye, but is essential for the detection and monitoring of specific defects.

Retinal Imaging Equipment

We have a digital camera that allows us to take a picture of the back of the eye (the retina). This allows us to store the images and then compare a patient's most recent pictures with previous ones. This makes it possible to monitor for changes.

Computerised Test Charts

Instead of using a conventional test chart, which has fixed panels in front of a light source, we use a computer screen to display the different targets. This system allows greater variability of targets and a wider range of tests. This means that we can assess your ocular performance more thoroughly and make a more complete diagnosis.

Digital Camera

We now have a digital camera attached to one of the slit lamps (a device that allows us to look at the anterior structures of the eye). This means that, as with the retinal imaging equipment, we monitor patient's conditions and compare current and previous pictures.