Visual Field Test Fail (Humphrey Visual Field Screener)
Afternoon all,
I went for my Class 1 initial this week and after passing everything absolutely fine (including the normal eye exam, not a hint of anything wrong) I had to do the Humphrey Visual Field Test. On my right eye I got 100/100 as expected, however on my left eye I got 95/100, with 5 dots missing in a relatively small group. They then asked me to re-take the test, and second time round I only missed 2 dots but again they were roughly in the same area (bottom left corner very close to edge).
The physician said that he couldn't do any further testing himself and that I'd have to arrange to see a Retina Specialist, who only visits the CAA about once a month. He said that if the problem is something static, then seeing as it was right in the very corner of my vision he'd probably be able to sign me off for the Class 1. However, if the specialist decides that it is something progressive then obviously I won't be able to hold a Class 1.
As you can imagine, I'm pretty scared of what it could be, and am now in complete limbo waiting for when I might be able to see this specialist (looks like I could have to wait til mid-June for an appointment with him at the CAA - unless I go to his private clinic and pay vast sums of money that I don't have).
Now for you opinions...would the physician have invited me back if he didn't think I stood a chance at gaining a Class 1? I've done a bit of research and there are several nasty illnesses associated with blind spots on the retina, but I'd rather not think about these too much (I have a habit of scaring myself about these things and making my life in the meantime a misery) until I have an official answer. Despite maybe being rare, is it possible to be born with or naturally have a static blind spot on the retina, without it being associated with something more sinister? For what it's worth I have never noticed anything wrong with this eye, never felt anything unusual and having worn glasses for 11 years I've always attended my annual check-ups at the opticians where again, nothing unusual has been spotted.
I appreciate your help and sensitivity on this subject.
Dan