Which type of perimetry technique involves a moving target?

The kinetic perimetry technique is characterized by the use of a moving target to assess a patient's visual field. In this method, a stimulus, often in the form of a light, is moved from a non-seeing area into a seeing area of the visual field. The patient indicates when they first perceive the light, allowing the examiner to chart the boundaries of the visual field.

Kinetic perimetry is particularly useful for detecting changes in visual field due to various conditions, such as glaucoma, retinal diseases, or neurological disorders. The movement aspect of this technique provides valuable information about dynamic visual function, which can lead to a more accurate assessment of peripheral vision compared to static methods, where the target does not move and may only assess fixed points in the visual field.

Understanding this distinction helps in recognizing why kinetic perimetry is often preferred for more comprehensive evaluation of visual field defects, making it an important skill for ophthalmic assistants to master in their practice.