Volunteers Sought for New Visual Field Study

A new research that focuses on developing improved methods of testing for visual field damage due to glaucoma is being undertaken by researchers at the Department of Optometry and Vision Sciences, University of Melbourne.

Visual field testing plays an important role in the diagnosis and management of glaucoma. Current visual field testing methods often return quite variable results in areas where the visual field is moderately damaged. This variability can make it very difficult to determine whether the visual field has changed. Recently, a new testing method that focuses especially on areas of moderately damaged visual fields has been developed at the Department of Optometry and Vision Sciences, University of Melbourne. Computer modelling with this new method called ARREST (Australian Reduced Range ESTimation) predict that it will perform better than current clinically available methods. Researchers are now in the process of testing ARREST in people with glaucoma to see if these predictions of improved performance are realised.

The Department of Optometry and Vision Sciences, University of Melbourne is seeking volunteers with moderately damaged visual fields to participate in our study. The study involves a series of visual field tests, in addition to retinal imaging (optical coherence tomography). Participation in this study is entirely voluntary and your decision to participate will not affect your glaucoma management in any way.

If you are interested in participating in this study, please contact Allison McKendrick, Department of Optometry and Vision Sciences, The University of Melbourne on email: allisonm@unimelb.edu.au or (03) 83447005.