Va Fl 06-21

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NOTE:

VA Fast Letter 06-21.pdf

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

Veterans Benefits Administration

November 8, 2006

Director (00/21)

All VBA Regional Offices and Centers

In Reply Refer To: 211D

Fast Letter 06-21

SUBJ: Measurement of Visual Fields

This purpose of this Fast Letter is to inform field stations that additional testing devices have been approved for the measurement of visual fields in compensation and pension examinations.

Background

Section 4.76 of the Schedule for Rating Disabilities states that for measurement of visual fields, "The usual perimetric methods will be employed, using a standard perimeter and 3 mm. white test object." At the time that section was published, the Goldmann Bowl Perimeter was the industry standard.

In view of the increasing difficulty VHA has had in acquiring and repairing Goldmann Perimeters, we have looked for a way to substitute more modern automated perimetry for visual field examinations in place of the Goldmann Bowl. We recently learned that the Humphrey and Octopus automated perimetric devices, which are standard in current medical practice, have software programs that exactly simulate Goldmann kinetic perimetry. Furthermore, their outputs can be charted on existing Goldmann charts, eliminating the need for any change in rating procedures.