Which method is used for performing a Humphrey Visual Field test?

The Humphrey Visual Field test primarily utilizes the method of ascending limits, which is designed to measure the sensitivity of the visual field at various points. In this approach, test stimuli of increasing intensity are presented to the patient, starting at a level that is below the expected threshold for detection. This allows the clinician to determine the lowest intensity at which the patient can reliably perceive the light stimulus.

While the stairstep method could conceptually seem applicable to visual field testing, it is not the standard method associated with the Humphrey Visual Field apparatus. The adjustment method involves presenting stimuli of varying intensities based on patient responses, which may not accurately represent the comprehensive assessment provided by the ascending limits approach used in standard practice. Knowing the nature of these methods is crucial in understanding visual field assessment and the nuances of how different strategies can yield varying results in evaluating visual sensitivity across the visual field.