Glaucoma is a leading cause of blindness in the world. It is usually a gradual, progressive eye disease with no pain or other symptoms. Initially only peripheral (side) vision is lost. As such, it often goes undiagnosed until the late stages when tunnel vision prevails and vision is unfortunately almost lost.

Eye with normal visual field	Eye with visual field defects from glaucoma

Sight lost to glaucoma cannot be restored. However, early diagnosis and prompt treatment may bring glaucoma under control and halt its progression.

VISUAL FIELD SCREENING TEST

Start the test with the right eye. Cover the left eye with a patch. You can make a patch simply by folding a piece of paper and taping it with a tissue paper.


Position your right eye at a distance of 40 cm (16 inches) from the screen. Wear your reading glasses if you need to use them. Throughout the test, you will need to look directly at the green cross in the center of the screen. If you are correctly positioned, the red patch to the right of the center green cross will disappear. This is the normal blind spot present in all eyes. Now press the "start test" button. At regular intervals, individual small white spots will flash briefly at various points in your visual field. Press the enter button once each time you can see a light. Your results will be automatically shown after the test is completed.

INTERPRETING THE TEST RESULT

Your visual field screening test result is normal. Your visual field screening test result is abnormal. You will need to see an eye doctor for further evaluation. Please print a copy of your test result and show it to your eye doctor.

Even if you have a normal screening test result, you should still consider a visit to your eye doctor if you answer yes to one or more of the following questions and if you last full eye examination was more than 2 years ago.

Are you over the age of 65?
Have you noticed a change in vision over the last one year?
Do you have diabetes?
Do you have family members or close relatives suffering from glaucoma?
Have you been told to suffer from raised eye pressures or glaucoma?
Have you have a severe eye injury or major eye surgery done?
If you answered yes to one or more questions, you should arrange for an eye examination by your eye doctor.