Eye care providers today face increasing patient volumes, limited space and demand for more comfortable testing.
Portable VR perimetry has emerged as a compelling alternative, offering mobility, efficiency and enhanced patient experience. This guide compares tabletop and VR perimeters to help you decide which platform fits your needs.
Patient Experience and Comfort
Tabletop Perimetry: Patients must sit still with their head against a chin and forehead rest. This can be challenging for elderly patients, those with neck or back pain or individuals in wheelchairs.
Poor positioning can affect results and may require technician intervention. Even when your patient starts in a good position, discomfort and often anxiety about losing their position can impact their test results.
VR Perimetry: Portable headsets allow patients to sit in any chair or even remain in a wheelchair. VR systems are aligned initially and will move with the patient if they must shift their position for comfort. Patients with back issues can even perform the test while standing or in a reclined position.
Patients consistently report greater comfort and decreased fatigue compared with tabletop tests.
Workflow and Efficiency
Tabletop Perimetry: These devices occupy dedicated darkrooms and can create bottlenecks when multiple patients need testing. Each test takes several minutes and requires a technician to monitor fixation, provide instructions and patch each eye. Maintenance downtime can last weeks because machines can’t be easily shipped for service.
VR Perimetry: Headsets free clinicians from darkroom restrictions and can be used anywhere in the clinic or offsite. The device occludes the eye, so no patching is needed. Tests take about just a few minutes, and many devices feature self‑guided instructions in multiple languages that reduce technician involvement and allow you to test in diverse populations.
VR devices can be mailed for service and receive remote software updates, minimizing downtime.
Accuracy and Validation
Tabletop Perimetry: The HFA and similar devices have extensive normative databases and decades of peer‑reviewed data supporting their accuracy. Clinicians are familiar with their reports and threshold algorithms.
VR Perimetry: Multiple studies have shown perfect agreement between VR visual‑field tests and conventional perimetry. The VF2000 has been validated against the HFA and is on par in terms of results, reliability and test-retest, all while testing slightly faster and providing greater flexibility.
The VF2000 NEO includes active eye tracking, which pauses the test if the patient looks away and resumes when they refocus. Many users find this has also reduced the incidence of false positive and false negative patient responses, further increasing reliability.
Cost and Return on Investment
Tabletop Perimetry: Upfront costs can exceed $40,000, and devices require dedicated space and regular maintenance.
Virtual Reality Visual Field: Systems like the VF2000 start at about $8,995. They do not require dedicated rooms and therefore free up valuable space. Faster test times and portable use increase throughput. The VF2000 is ADA‑compliant and you may be eligible for a 50 % tax credit. Over time, the return on investment is improved through lower overhead and higher testing volume.
Integration and Future‑Ready Features
Tabletop Perimetry: Many tabletop machines integrate with EHRs but some limit your flexibility and require subscriptions or recurring fees. Upgrading firmware often requires a technician to visit.
Virtual Visual Fields: Modern headsets integrate seamlessly with EHR/EMR systems, can feature cloud storage and provide familiar, easy‑to‑interpret reports.
Micro Medical Devices offers subscription free / fee free cloud storage to its users and offers an integration tool kit for all EMR/EHR providers.
Limitations and Considerations
While VR perimetry offers numerous advantages, clinics should be aware of its limitations. Some reviews note that VR devices can have variable eye‑tracking precision – Not all VRVF are created equal – Do your own research, and whenever possible, try the devices in your office with your staff and patients to make sure it’s a good fit for you!
Micro Medical Devices’ VF2000 series combines the portability of a VF headset with clinically validated accuracy, active eye tracking and integrated EHR reporting.
Contact MMD today to schedule a demo and find the best visual‑field analyzer for your clinic.
