Certified Ophthalmic Medical Technologist (COMT) Practice Exam

What is the primary purpose of using automated perimetry in visual field testing?

1. To remove the need for patient input completely

2. To measure color differentiation

3. To evaluate visual field and sensitivity quickly and reliably

4. To improve binocular vision outcomes

The correct answer is: To evaluate visual field and sensitivity quickly and reliably

The primary purpose of using automated perimetry in visual field testing is to evaluate visual field and sensitivity quickly and reliably. Automated perimetry allows healthcare professionals to assess the extent and sensitivity of a patient’s visual fields by presenting light stimuli at varying locations and intensities. This process helps in detecting and monitoring disorders such as glaucoma, retinal diseases, and neurological conditions affecting vision. This method is designed to provide quantitative data on the visual fields, which can be analyzed over time to track progression or improvement of a condition. The efficiency and reliability of automated perimetry make it a preferred choice in clinical practice, as it minimizes human error and variance that can occur with manual methods. The other options do not align with the primary purpose of automated perimetry. While patient input is considered during testing, the goal is not to remove it completely. Measuring color differentiation pertains to a different aspect of visual function and does not directly relate to overall visual field assessment. Improving binocular vision outcomes is also not the central focus of visual field testing, as the main concern is to assess the visual field integrity and sensitivity for diagnosis and management of specific ocular conditions.