HilcoVision

HILCOvision
Smart System® | VR Headset

Advanced Visual Field Testing

We’re always looking for ways to improve the quality of care we offer our patients, and we’re delighted to introduce the M&S Smart System® VR Headset to our Muswell Hill practice. This cutting-edge virtual reality device represents a significant step forward in how we carry out visual field testing – making the experience faster, more comfortable and more accurate than ever before.

Why visual field testing matters

Visual field testing measures your complete range of vision, including your peripheral (side) vision. It’s one of the most important tests we use to detect and monitor conditions like glaucoma, which can gradually damage your optic nerve and cause irreversible sight loss if left undetected. Glaucoma often develops without any noticeable symptoms in its early stages, which is why regular screening is so important.

Visual field testing also helps us identify other conditions that may affect your vision, including neurological issues, retinal disease and the effects of certain medications.

What is the Smart System VR Headset?

Traditionally, visual field testing has required patients to sit in front of a large, bowl-shaped machine, hold their head very still and focus on a central point for several minutes. While effective, this can be uncomfortable – particularly for patients with mobility issues or those who find it difficult to maintain the same position for an extended period.

The Smart System VR Headset changes all of that. It’s a lightweight, cushioned virtual reality headset powered by trusted M&S Smart System® software – the same technology used in over 28,000 systems worldwide, including universities and optometry schools. The headset is paired with a Microsoft Surface Pro tablet, giving us a portable, flexible testing system that can be used in any room, even in a fully lit environment.

SMARTtracker™ 2 eye tracking technology

One of the biggest challenges with any visual field test is making sure you keep your eyes focused on the central target throughout. If your gaze wanders – even slightly – it can affect the accuracy of the results.

The Smart System VR Headset features SMARTtracker™ 2, the most advanced eye tracking system available in a visual field testing device. It continuously monitors your eye position in real time, detecting even the most subtle movements. If you lose focus on the central target, the system automatically pauses the test and gently prompts you to refocus before continuing. This means we get the most reliable data possible from every test.

Glaucoma Hemifield Test (GHT)

The system now includes the Glaucoma Hemifield Test as standard. The GHT is a well-established clinical tool that compares the sensitivity of the upper and lower halves of your visual field. Because glaucoma tends to affect these areas differently, this test is highly effective at distinguishing between healthy eyes and those with glaucomatous damage – even in the very earliest stages.

WAVEsync™ frequency doubling technology

We can also access WAVEsync™ frequency doubling technology through the headset. Frequency doubling perimetry is a specialised screening technique that targets specific cells in the visual pathway – cells that are among the first to be affected by glaucoma. Research has shown that this technology can detect glaucomatous damage earlier than conventional perimetry in many cases, making it an invaluable tool for catching problems before they progress.

What to expect during your test

The experience is straightforward and far more comfortable than traditional methods. You’ll wear the lightweight headset while seated in a normal chair — there’s no need to lean forward into a machine or hold an awkward position. The test itself involves looking at a central point and pressing a button whenever you see a small light appear in your peripheral vision.

The system includes audio and visual cues to guide you through the process, and because of the SMARTtracker™ 2 technology, you don’t need to worry about keeping perfectly still – the system takes care of monitoring your fixation for you.

A full threshold visual field test takes under 3 minutes per eye, and our QuickScreen option can provide results in just 45 seconds per eye. This is a significant improvement on traditional methods, which can take 5–10 minutes or more per eye.

Testing options available

The Smart System VR Headset allows us to carry out a comprehensive range of visual field assessments, including:

• 10-2 visual field – a detailed examination of your central vision, useful for monitoring conditions affecting the macula
• 24-2 visual field – the standard test for glaucoma detection and monitoring
• 30-2 visual field – a wider assessment covering more of your peripheral vision
• QuickScreen – a rapid 45-second screening for each eye
• WAVEsync™ frequency doubling – specialised early detection of glaucomatous changes
• Glaucoma Hemifield Test – comparing upper and lower visual field sensitivity
• Contour stereo testing – assessing depth perception and stereoscopic vision

Better for patients, better for results

We’ve invested in this technology because we believe it genuinely improves the experience for our patients while giving us better clinical data to work with. The portable design also means we can offer visual field testing in different settings, including during home visits – something that simply wasn’t possible with traditional equipment.

Whether you’re attending for a routine sight test, being monitored for glaucoma or have been referred for a visual field assessment, you can be confident that you’re receiving the most up-to-date testing available at our practice.