Campimetry: Unlocking the Mysteries of the Visual Field

Campimetry is the study of the visual field and the detection of its defects (scotomas or areas of partial or total loss of vision) by using a perimeter or perimeter.

Types of campimetry

There are different forms of, depending on the type of technique or perimeter used and the information obtained from them, perimetry can be classified into.

Qualitative campimetry

Among them, the most used is confrontational perimetry: a basic and simple technique carried out by the professional himself without the need to use a specific device (perimeter) to perform it and which only provides us with brief information on whether or not there is a defect in the visual field. It is used as a screening test.

Quantitative campimetry

These are more complex techniques that require the use of a specific device (perimeter) to perform them, among them, the most used are the Goldman or dynamic perimetry (in which the perimeter emits moving light stimuli all of equal intensity) and computerized or static perimetry (in which the perimeter emits static light stimuli of different intensities and locations); Depending on the number and location of the light stimuli recognized or not recognized by the patient, vision maps are drawn that allow the identification of areas of non-vision (scotomas) and the exact size, location and depth of the scotoma area.

How is the campimetry study carried out?

Confrontation campimetry

In the confrontational campimetry the patient remains seated in front of the examiner. The two eyes will be examined independently for which the patient must close one of his eyes and stare at the opposite eye of his examiner while being asked to indicate when he sees and / or when he stops seeing an object (pen, finger of the examiner ..) that will move along the visual field of the eye being examined. Subsequently, the same maneuver will be repeated with the contralateral eye.

Goldman campimetry

In the Goldman campimetry the patient remains seated facing the perimeter. The two eyes will be examined independently for which the patient must close one of his eyes while the examiner will ask him to indicate when he sees and when he stops seeing a light beam that will move along the visual field of the eye studied. Subsequently, the same maneuver will be repeated with the contralateral eye.

Computerized campimetry

In the computerized campimetry the patient remains seated in front of the perimeter The two eyes will be examined independently for which the patient must close one of his eyes while the examiner will ask him to indicate when he sees an intermittent light beam of different intensities that will appear in different areas of the visual field of the eye studied. Subsequently, the same maneuver will be repeated with the contralateral eye.

Preparation and risks

No prior preparation for the examination is required by the patient. The visual field study is painless and there are no risks or contraindications in this type of study.

What is the study done for?

The study of the visual field is a simple technique that can provide very valuable information not only on diseases that can affect only the eyeball such as the , diseases of the retina or optic nerve; but also about local or systemic diseases that can manifest as a visual field defect such as degenerative diseases or brain tumors, arterial hypertension, diabetes and dyslipidemia, among others, whose diagnostic study should be completed later with specific techniques.

Family and Community Medicine Specialist.