Application Process for Medical Certification - Examination Techniques
Item 53. Field of Vision

1. Fifty-inch square black matte surface wall target with center white fixation point; 2 millimeter white test object on black-handled holder:
1. The applicant should be seated 40 inches from the target.
2. An occluder should be placed over the applicant's right eye.
3. The applicant should be instructed to keep the left eye focused on the fixation point.
4. The white test object should be moved from the outside border of the wall target toward the point of fixation on each of the eight 4-degree radials.
5. The result should be recorded on a worksheet as the number of inches from the fixation point at which the applicant first identifies the white target on each radial.
6. The test should be repeated with the applicant's left eye occluded and the right eye focusing on the fixation point.
2. Alternative Techniques:
1. A standard perimeter may be used in place of the above procedure. With this method, any significant deviation from normal field configuration will require evaluation by an eye specialist.
2. Direct confrontation. This is the least acceptable alternative since this tests for peripheral vision and only grossly for field size and visual defects. The Examiner, standing in front of the applicant, has the applicant look at the Examiner's nose while advancing two moving fingers from slightly behind and to the side of the applicant in each of the four quadrants. Any significant deviation from normal requires ophthalmological evaluation.