Computerized System for Measuring Detection Sensitivity over the Visual Field

摘要

One important aspect of the ongoing visual process is the detection of events both in the central and the peripheral field areas during normal surveillance of the overall visual field. Although the central line of sight involving the retinal fovea is clearly the locus of greatest visual resolution under photopic viewing conditions, the capability for detection of visual events is also present to various lesser degrees in virtually all areas of the visual field. It has been shown that the zone of best overall detection sensitivity is distributed in an ovaloid configuration about the horizontal axis of the visual field, with maximum sensitivity occurring along that axis. A device is described for comprehensively measuring the capability of human operators to detect and react to visual signals occurring at a variety of locations throughout the functional visual field. The system is completely automated and computerized, and provides both documentation files and descriptive graphics of the operator's performance immediately upon completion of testing. Sensitivity of detection can be measured for three stimulus colors (red, yellow, green), in a testing configuration which mimics commonplace surveillance of the ordinary viewing field. An abbreviated listing of the main operating program software is provided. Keywords: Peripheral vision; Perimetry; and Visual perception.