Visual Function Laboratory
Retina-Vitreous Associates is equipped with a state-of-the-art Visual Function Laboratory, capable of performing electroretinography (ERG), electrooculogram (EOG), multi-focal electroretinography (mf-ERG), auto-fluorescence, and visual field (Humphrey and Goldmann) testing.
Dr. Jill Hopkins is director of the Retina-Vitreous Associates Visual Function Laboratory. She has completed a fellowship at the prestigious Moorsfield Hospital in London, England, under the mentorship of Dr. Alan Bird in electrophysiology and retinal dystrophies. She gained valuable experience as director of the electrophysiology lab at Doheny Eye Center (USC) before joining Retina-Vitreous Associates in 2006.
The Visual Function Laboratory at Retina-Vitreous Associates has a full team of qualified and certified technicians and photographers solely devoted to performing all of the highly sophisticated tests mentioned above.
The Full Field ERG is used to measure retinal cell function. This test is clinically useful in a number of
hereditary and degenerative retinal diseases.
Multi-focal ERG
A multi-focal ERG also measures retinal cell function, and focuses on different areas of the retina, in
particular, detailed information about macular retinal cell function. This helps in looking for localized areas of
abnormality in the macula.
Visual Evoked Potential (VEP), or Visual Evoked Response (VER)
The VEP/VER is a test that evaluates visual signals reaching the brain. It measures the time it takes for
nerves to respond to stimulation, evaluating the visual pathways in the brain. This test is useful in detecting
blindness in patients who cannot communicate, and for detecting conditions such as optic neuritis, and Multiple
Sclerosis.
Humphery Visual Field
The Humphrey Visual Field measures the individual’s entire scope of vision (central and peripheral vision).
The test involves static light stimuli.
Goldmann Visual Field
The Goldmann Visual Field measures the individual’s entire scope of vision. The test involves moving light
stimuli.
Octopus Static Visual Field
The Octopus Static Visual Field is similar to the Humphrey Visual Field. It involves static light stimuli.
Farnsworth-Munsell D-15
The Farnsworth-Munsell D-15 is a useful test for screening for colour vision defects. It can be used to detect
colour blindness such as red-green and blue-yellow colour blindness.
Farnsworth-Munsell 100 Hue
The Farnsworth-Munsell 100 is a more detailed analysis of colour blindness and helps quantify a person’s
ability to accurately perceive colours.