- On this page: What Does My Doctor See?
Microperimetry is a type of visual field test that uses one of several technologies to create a “retinal sensitivity map” of the light quantity perceived in specific parts of the retina. Visual field testing is widely used to monitor pathologies affecting the peripheral vision such as glaucoma.
During a conventional visual field test, patients are asked to look steadily ahead at a visual target while small lights are projected at varying intensities in different locations to examine the peripheral vision.
By contrast, microperimetry examines the macula, the very center of the retina, in great detail. It combines fundus imaging and retinal sensitivity mapping in one examination and is a powerful tool to detect, describe and monitor conditions that affect the macular area.
Your doctor can evaluate the health of the central retina using this test. This technology allows your doctor to detect diseases of the retina at early stages and has made timely intervention possible for a number of retinal conditions.