Which is the most widely used method of visual field screening that requires no special equipment?

Confrontation testing is the most widely used method of visual field screening that requires no special equipment because it relies solely on the examiner's and patient's ability to interact directly within a clinical setting. During this method, the examiner and patient face each other, and the examiner tests the patient's peripheral vision by moving their fingers in the patient's visual field. This process is straightforward and does not necessitate any specialized tools or technology, making it highly accessible and practical for quick assessments of visual field integrity.

In contrast, methods such as the Goldmann perimeter or tangent screen involve specialized equipment, making them less suitable for quick, informal assessments. The Amsler grid is primarily used for detecting central vision defects related to conditions like macular degeneration, but it also requires a printed grid and is not used as a comprehensive screening for overall visual fields. Thus, confrontation testing stands out as the simplest and most widely applicable method for immediate visual field evaluation.