Certified Ophthalmic Medical Technologist (COMT) Practice Exam

What type of visual field testing involves moving objects of fixed size and intensity?

1. Kinetic perimetry

2. Static perimetry

3. Digital perimetry

4. Threshold perimetry

The correct answer is: Kinetic perimetry

Kinetic perimetry is the correct type of visual field testing that involves moving objects of a fixed size and intensity. In this method, a stimulus (often a light) is moved into the visual field from a non-seeing area until it crosses the threshold of perception. The patient's task is to indicate when they first see the moving stimulus. This technique is particularly useful for mapping peripheral vision and detecting scotomas (areas of reduced vision) because it allows for dynamic assessment of visual sensitivity across different parts of an individual’s field of vision. In contrast, static perimetry focuses on presenting stationary stimuli at various locations within the visual field to assess sensitivity levels, often at predefined locations. Digital perimetry uses computerized systems to conduct visual field tests, which may utilize either kinetic or static methodologies for measuring a patient's visual field. Threshold perimetry, on the other hand, is a specific form of static perimetry that determines the minimal intensity of light that can be detected at different points in the visual field, typically requiring a series of presentations to define the sensitivity threshold accurately. By utilizing moving stimuli, kinetic perimetry captures the dynamic nature of visual perception, making it particularly effective for identifying visual field defects and assessing the extent of visual loss