The visual fields by confrontation test evaluates which aspect of vision?

The visual fields by confrontation test primarily evaluates peripheral vision. This test is designed to assess a person's ability to detect objects or movement in their side (peripheral) vision while their central vision is focused on a specific point. During the test, the healthcare provider and patient sit facing each other, and the provider asks the patient to cover one eye while they observe the other eye. The provider then moves their hands or fingers into the patient’s periphery to see if the patient can see them at various angles. This helps determine if there are any deficits in the peripheral vision, which can be indicative of various neurological conditions or eye diseases.

In contrast, central vision is assessed through other methods, such as chart vision tests, which do not evaluate peripheral awareness. Visual acuity measures sharpness or clarity of vision, typically using an eye chart, whereas accommodation refers to the eye's ability to change focus from distant to near objects, which is assessed using different techniques. Therefore, the confrontation test's focus on peripheral vision is pivotal in identifying potential visual field defects.