I'm always a bit anxious when going to the Opthalmology department for check ups, etc, but the one I always dread is the Visual Fields Test.
It's worse now I have to wear a face mask due to COVID 19, but I always end up sulking afterwards, as I miss so many of the flashes.
I try so hard to get a good test, but find myself getting stressed when I know I'm missing the flashes.
Anyone else the same?
I've been doing field tests for forty years, it doesn't get any easier (sorry), I absolutely hate them, I always come out thinking I've missed some, and pressed the buzzer when there was was light
Same here try so hard to get them. End up feeling down knowing that I miss quite a few
Same here I am recently diagnosed and am in a panic because I have just received a letter from the DVLA informing me I need to go for a test to see if I can keep my driving licence
Hi
The 'good' thing is that the DVLA test is done with both eyes together, not just one at a time !
Hope it goes well for you
Hey, don’t worry about it my visual field test is usually not amazing to say the least but in the DVLA one I got 100% so if you’re recently diagnosed etc you’re laughing
You were fortunate. I was diagnosed in March 2021 and my licence was revoked last Thursday. Unfortunately, the bleed to my optic nerve was observed in March 2020, but my referral took 12 months in these unprecedented times. I'm using buses and 'Shank's Pony' for first time since I was 17! At least I am fit otherwise. I'm saving the planet, but trying desperately hard to appeal.
Hi I hope it goes well for you. Just wondering though, how do the DVLA end up getting involved anyway?
If you are diagnosed with bilateral glaucoma it is your responsibility to inform the DVLA and your insurance company. If you are involved in a road traffic accident and you failed to inform these two agencies, your insurance is invalid and you may have to wait even longer for your licence. However, it does feel like I'm being punished for being truthful. Local reports of people involved in crime have suspended 2 year jail sentences and lose their licence for two months. I haven't committed a crime, I'm just trying to get to work and to care for my elderly mother. I have waited 4 months and still no sign of a licence. Many others have waited much longer.
Ok tresco thanks for your reply and I wish you all the best with your license and your mother's care ❤️
Hi there I know exactly how you feel about the visual fields tests, especially when you know you are missing some flashes. I have lost 30 percent I my left eye so I know there are some I can't see. It's a hudle to get over every visit, then I try to forget about it. I've just had a trab so good to hear you had one 10 years ago and it's still working!
I think we all hate them! Like you say, it is worse now we have to wear a mask. Also I have to do mine in a tiny little room & I find the machine really claustrophobic then the tiny room is even worse, plus I’m nervous anyway! Also I find my mind wanders & I start thinking about what I’m having for dinner, etc & realise I haven’t been concentrating 🙄.
Hi Wales,how's the migraines,any better at all ?Your reply was funny and made me laugh,as I could actually picture it.
I concentrate so hard I totally forget to breathe and nearly pass out. My face is always tomato red afterwards !!!! Not a great look. X
I used to think I may be missing lights because I had to blink. So now I try to co-ordinate blinking with button presses, which helps and it seems to help me concentrate, too.
We all obviously have our own wee oddities in trying to beat the dreaded field test 😁. Yours seems a good idea
Hey. The migraines got better for a while & then came back. I have spoken to my wonderful pharmacist at the GP surgery & we’re gradually upping the dose, my consultant has said I can go up to 32mg and I was only on 8mg. I’m now on 14. She wants me to stop at 16mg for a while & see what happens. I also changed my HRT to a different combination so I’ve got to see how that goes. Other than that my eye has felt a bit weird lately- I’ve contacted the consultants secretary but typically he’s away - back this week & back in clinic on Wednesday. I’m hoping it’s the stitch and the astigmatism and not the pressure but hey-ho nothing I do or worry about will change anything. It is what it is & you just have to deal with it. Sorry-that’s a bit gloomy! My mental health has been bad lately, it all seems to go hand in hand. It’s the migraines that get me down - I just want to exercise properly again! Hope all is OK with you. X
Oh that's not good news, it's hard to be cheery when you are having migraines, hopefully at some point not too far in the future your HRT will start to help, it's all such a balancing act,getting the dose just right. I've said before exercise is my happy place,so I do get your want and need to be able to exercise properly .
What date is your next eye check up ,the beginning of December I think ? It's been a while since your last appointment and if you think your eye isn't feeling right that's not helping how you are feeling at all. You are still on steroids and I know my friend got to a point after his trab when his eyes couldn't tolerate them any more at all, I was just wondering if that was a possibility. I hope you get an appointment once he's back in the clinic and get your mind put to rest .
Everything ok with me, my partner's now got the cold bug that is doing the rounds and had a bad migraine on Saturday so he's pretty down in the dumps. He's terrified he gives the cold to me so is hiding out in the spare room as I don't think either of us could cope with my trab being cancelled again.
I hope you are feeling better soon as mental and physical health definitely do go hand in hand x
Hi. Yes it’s 8th December. Funny you should say that because I had exactly the same thought about the drops- every now & then when I put them in they aggravate my eye like crazy. Also steroids raise eye pressure. I’m really hoping he takes me off them. I think that coupled with the stitch & the astigmatism are all adding to the headaches & my eye feeling weird. I went for a nice walk this morning & felt better afterwards. Yes I’m hopeful for these meds & I definitely think the HRT will be a game changer but I just need to get the dose right. Oh goodness yes you really don’t want that cancelled again- hopefully it’s the same virus you had & you won’t get it back again. Have you got a date yet?
You've been on them for so long surely he will take you off them this time and take out the stitch as well. My friend was fine as soon as he stopped the steroids,he was on them for 4 months . Hopefully you will notice a difference once you are off them. If I'm feeling rubbish I always feel much better after a good long walk.
Weirdly ,yes I do have a date and it's 8 Dec too 😁. I had the choice of that or beginning of January, I just need it over and done with although I know it's going to interfere with Xmas . My plan is an no eye op year in 2022 and I've had 4 in last 2 years and I think that's enough.
I've got no chance of catching his cold unless it can make its way through a closed door ☺️ x
Yes I’m really hoping he will- it’s six months when I see him since the op so surely he will. I desperately need new glasses but can’t get them until the stitch is out so that’s not helping with the headaches either. Oh how funny it’s on the 8th. Yes it would be great to have a year with no eye dramas and (for me) to get my headaches under control & exercise again. Sometimes I just think sod it, I’m going to exercise & just power through the headaches but then I go for a run & just get floored by the migraines & then I just think it’s not worth it. Well let’s hope we both get good outcomes on the 8th. I’m sure you will- at least you know what to expect.
Not long until your appointment thank goodness . I agree the wrong spec prescription won't be helping ,I personally found a huge difference with my new ones .No matter how much you want to just exercise and take the consequences,which I do understand,you just can't. Hopefully soon once everything is all sorted out,both eyes and HRT you will be able to. Onwards and upwards 🤞🍀 x
I know- not too long to yours either! The thing is that there isn’t anything physically wrong with me - I feel fit (if a bit out of shape 😂) and I go out walking and so desperately want to run I have to reign myself in. On the few occasions I have run it feels so good! Then I get struck down…. I tried on my outfit for my work’s Christmas meal last night & I was going to wear knee-high boots, I haven’t worn them for a while & I struggled to do them up. It really upset me. I was in tears to my husband saying I’m never going to be able to exercise again & I’ll never lose weight! I’ve put on over a stone in the last six years. I’m still hopeful though- I’m determined to get there!
Och I know it's difficult when you want to go to gym and go out for a run and the only thing that's stopping you is totally outwith your control. I am an exercise maniac and I hate not being able to do anything but walk too, it's my way of coping with anything that bothers me. That's what I find most difficult post trab. You will get there I'm sure and I totally get your boots last night being the final straw,that sounds so like me. It's never the
major thing,it's the wee thing on top of everything else that does it. A stone isn't a lot but to you it will be, you will lose it once you can kick ass in the gym again 😂.
2022 will be our year 🤞
Ha ha! Let’s hope so. My sister & I keep saying that- she has health problems too but weirdly not Glaucoma. Yeah we’ll keep going. Let’s hope it all goes well on the 8th.
I may be wrong about this but I`m sure I was told one time by the technician not to worry if I miss some flashes as they come on again if you miss.
What I do is count the flashes - it helps stop me losing concentration and if I get a similar number for both eyes it makes me think I`ve not missed many.
It`s not my favourite test either - had a field test the other day wearing a mask which made it even more annoying.
Ooh . What's this about counting ? Is there a standard number of clicks or lights ? I've had so many over the years and I noticed sometimes they seem to last longer than at other times...
Hi Stairs10
The counting just helps me to concentrate on keeping my eye on the centre light.
Otherwise by the time I have the second eye done I`m starting to think about what we`re having for tea he he !!
And yes depending where you have the test it does sometimes last longer than others.
You're right... missed flashes are repeated later in the test to ensure they really can't be seen.
Yes, I was told that you get tested with each dot twice. Only missing the same dot both times counts as a miss.
I’ve read somewhere that you’re not expected to see them all. Does anyone know if that true? I keep getting false positives - possibly because I’m so stressed doing these tests!
I only reported my ocular hypertension when needing to change my address on my driving licence, and have now been required to test, and re-test, because my results have been inconclusive! I have another test this week and am really anxious. I don’t have glaucoma and my specialist is very happy with my vision. I’m not even sure that I needed to report well-managed ocular hypertension, anyway, but I’ve discovered that once you declare anything you’re trapped in this saga of testing. I do wish they’d pay equal attention to dangerous and irresponsible driving! I’d certainly not drive if I felt I had a problem but don’t even wear glasses for driving.
Please can anyone tell me whether there are gaps during the test, or does a gap mean I’ve missed a spot?
Yes ,I agree that the FOV test can be worrying.
This year I was lucky as I went to a different Specsavers and although very busy they were extremely caring and helpful.
The HENSON 5000 machine for me was so much better than the usual Humphrey one.
The staff gave me a lot of confidence and showed me the chart at the end.
I will hopefully stick with this branch in the future.
It was the first time I have felt happy about the experience.
So it may be worth visiting a Specsavers and booking in with whichever branch seemed the most helpful.
Hi Chopper01 welcome to the site. I was diagnosed 2years ago with oag. Pressures haven't really got below mid 20's. I've had slt twice and I'm currently on cosopt and lumigan.Going to hospital tomorrow for an update on pressures but am not hopeful.
I think I might have to have trans but I am so anxious about it.
Glad you have joined our group there are so many helpful people on here. They certainly help me when I need a shoulder to cry on.
Hi callie77, I'm also going to the hospital tomorrow, visual field test and eye pressures. I really want to have these tests done, but at the same time I don't. Perhaps you can relate to that? It's the results that scare me. Wish you all the best for tomorrow!
Hi Camonline, I can definitely relate to it.
I just wish that for once the pressure would go down instead of up.
Im already getting worked up about it and fearing the worst.
My glass is always half empty!!.
I wish you well for tomorrow and hope we both get good news.
Thanks for your reply.
Good luck to you tomorrow ,I hate my pressure been taken and detest the field test too A necessary evil for us all unfortunately . I hope you get positive news
Thank you Witchie!
Good luck tomorrow Callie 🤞. I know the night before an appointment is awful. Let us know how you get on . X
Thank you Witchie for thinking about me. Im already anxious!! Will post my results tomorrow.
Xx
You would be odd if you weren't a least a bit anxious, it's the not knowing what you are going to be told that's the worry. I'm hoping for a bit of positive news for you tomorrow. X
Hi Chopper01, I think as most people have said, we all dread the Visual Field Tests. I’ve only been recently diagnosed so have only had one, but it’s that fear of loss of sight! My consultant said he wants me to have 4 within my first year of diagnosis so that’s something to look forward too 🤦♀️. I suppose I should be happy that he wants to monitor me closely. I am due to have my first DVLA VFT on Monday and am really not looking forward to that! I’ve had some helpful advice though on here and from Trish at Glaucoma UK.
Good luck with the DVLA test
Thank you, good luck with yours too.
Hi Chopper I feel the same, in fact I totally hold my breath during the field test as I am concentrating so hard. I've lost quite a lot of vision in my right eye so there are big blank areas I see nothing. My optometrist said the same as Lynne's technician they do all come round again so you don't actually miss them. I didn't have to wear a mask when doing the test as my specs get so steamed up. I actually press the buzzer like a mad thing and am so relieved when it's over. The positive is I've lost no further vision since I was diagnosed and began treatment 😁.
Hello! I quite enjoyed reading all these responses! I shall be thinking of you tomorrow as I sit in the dreaded chair with my nose unhygienically pressed up to the little circle of claustrophobic doom as I frantically smash that button!! Good luck to all of us 
I was diagnosed with glaucoma when I was 19 years old, so I've been traipsing along to that machine for a very long time...
I've been doing the VFTs for over 20 years. The strategy that's worked for me is to treat it as a video game, like shooting aliens! Not that I'm any good at video games but it works for me.
Is it possible to cheat ? I often wonder if, by pressing the button even if I can't see a light then they'll think that I am better than I am.
No, it’s not. Also the same dots appear several times. And if you try and go by the sound of the machine you’d fail too because it doesn’t always move and flash. Cheeky machine haha.
I remember doing them manually. With a technician at the other end looking at my eye and telling me off every time my eye moved haha
Good to hear everyone feels the same about field tests.Worse still for me is, if I get to see the results on screen, seeing the extensive black/grey areas. Then again it’s how well you can see when using your eyes which really counts and change is generally slow so you get chance to adapt.
I'm always convinced that when I blink I miss the flashes, so try not too but then my eyes go dry and I miss them anyway. Another one is that I'm sure I image flashes when there aren't any. I hate field tests too....in fact I hate all the tests. It's like sitting an exam you can't prepare for. 😱
I am sure that I move my eyes from the dot in the centre a bit when doing the test. I mean, I always keep it in view, but my eyes do go off it a bit to the sides. Have often wished that there was an easier/more reliable test available.
When I did my first test for the DVLA I began to associate the clicks with the light and so used the buzzer every time it clicked! Massive amount of false positives apparently 🤣. Did ok on second attempt I was told. This was in August and needless to say I’ve heard nothing from DVLA. Incredible when you consider they insist that you book your field test within such a tight window.
Hi there, it’s almost a relief to read the responses to your post and know that everyone has a similar experience to each other! I dread them as I want to do so well but never seem to, I also think that the machine operator makes a difference. I’ve had them move the chin rest half way through, talk in the background, leave the main light in the room on, not push the lens close enough to my eye etc! And that’s without me holding my breath and my mind wandering off mid test! When you get someone who cares and knows what they’re doing I do think that it makes you less nervous and helps.
Hi on my last field test it was diabolical.... i sat on a swivelling high chair to look into the screen you have to be comfortable to do this test with your back resting against the chair. my mask created steam on the vision screen and i could hardly see anything. I just panicked... they couldn't even get any kind of a reading from me. my specialist just went from the numerous optic nerve tests and my vision test and said i had no further damage... I felt like I had just failed my school examination and a complete failure...I think we all panic because this test shows the development of our eyes and we really don't want bad news do we? Next time I will count,,, insist on a proper chair and i will take down my bloody mask... if they don't like it then too bad as I cannot give an accurate test with a mask on that is creating mist on the screen. to all your failures of the field test, you are not alone.
Yes...especially when practically pushed into the chair, zapper stuck in my hand and she says "Starting Now" before even raising the chin rest!! Not even given chance to tuck my skirt under me and get comfortable. They really do need some training...leaving a Saturday girl to it on her own is not good enough. Means so little to them and so much to us.
Just wanted to say, i Was very anxious too about the DVLA test and read all the comments. As it turned out Specsavers (Wood Green, London) were very good. Calming. The test itself is simpler than at the clinic. The Henson machine flashes the slowly. You use both eyes wearing glasses if you use them for driving. It seems as though there is a sound before each flash and you may be tempted to press the button on the sound assuming there is a flash you missed, but there are false ones so you shouldn't. If you do too many many false ones, the test is void and you have to repeat it. The test is checking your peripheral vision on a horizontal axis so not so much on the upper and lower parts of the field. Trying to keep calm and take it slowly is best. Good luck to anyone having to do it. 100% is possible and if you do get a high score you may not need to go back again.
advice on the add ons for glasses ? And visual fields 
Visual field test & Visual Acuity 
Visual field test for DVLA
DVLA visual field test
