Online perimetry is more enjoyable, accessible and less costly than machine-based perimetry. It improves the experience, accessibility and gives control to the patient for better outcomes.

Visual field testing (perimetry) involves testing the visual sensitivity of each eye’s entire field; assessing for any deficits in our peripheral vision. It is the most important way to detect glaucoma, and to monitor patients with glaucoma for its progression over time.

Currently visual field testing requires single-purpose, complex machines (see Figure 1). These machines are large, cumbersome and expensive. They require specialised knowledge to build, maintain and operate. They have a carbon footprint, access requires attendance at an eye care clinic, and one must place one’s head in a head rest within a bowl where others have been. This bowl is not able to be sterilised between users (as this would affect the finely tuned light parameters).

Figure 1. Conventional, machine-based visual field testing

As an Ophthalmologist, and busy glaucoma specialist in Melbourne, dozens of my patients are performing such testing daily. I am acutely aware of the limitations of machine-based visual field testing. It slows down the clinic, the machines are expensive to acquire and maintain, and require a great deal of staff involvement. Also, my patients are very commonly complaining about the experience: they do not enjoy perimetry using those machines. It was only until recently that this was the only option.

Not any more.

Working with experts from Microsoft, in 2020 I founded Australian health-tech company Eyeonic, with a vision to provide a more enjoyable and accessible experience in perimetry.

We believed online perimetry was possible, and we were right.

We have developed a means of performing online visual field testing that will work on any computer. All that is needed is a computer, mouse, and internet access; although volume and a webcam are preferable.

Online visual field testing has many advantages over perimetry locked into cumbersome machines.

Online perimetry is more enjoyable, accessible and less costly than machine-based perimetry.

Online visual field testing improves the experience of perimetry

Online visual field testing improves the accessibility of sight-saving technology

Online perimetry gives control of data to the patient (you) and provides a better shared care model

Providing the service online, bringing visual field testing into our living rooms is a game changer for glaucoma screening and detection. And it is desperately needed – 50% of glaucoma remains undetected in the developed world; 90% of glaucoma is undetected in the developing world.