The General tab of the Program Settings windows allows the default test options to be set.



Stimuli

This determines the default stimuli set used for the examination

Eye

This determines whether both eyes or a single eye is to be tested by default

Test mode

This determines the default test mode.  In multiple mode, 2, 3 or 4 stimuli are presented simultaneously and the patient is asked how many "dots" they saw.  In single mode, the stimuli are presented one at a time and the patient reports whether or not each stimulus is detected.  The multiple mode is generally much quicker but requires the examiner to record the patient's response.

Strategy

In Screening mode, the test stimuli are presented at 5dB above the threshold determined for a selection of stimuli in the mid-periphery.  In this mode, the software simply records any stimuli that are not seen at this luminance - the assumption being that they must have a loss in sensitivity of more than 5dB.  No attempt is made to quantify the actual loss in sensitivity.


In Threshold mode, the test stimuli are again presented at 5dB above the threshold determined for a selection of stimuli in the mid-periphery.  However, in this mode, the software goes on to increase the luminance of any stimuli that are not seen until they are detected (or maximum screen luminance is reached) and records the dB when they are seen.


The Screening mode is quicker but does not provide any information on the depth of any scotomas identified.

Blindspot fixation monitoring

This determines the default mode for Blindspot fixation monitoring.   If this option is selected, the software will present a series of stimuli to determine the position and size of the blindspot. A stimulus is then periodically presented in the centre of the blindspot.  If the patient is fixating accurately, this stimulus will not be detected.  If however, the patient is not fixating correctly, the stimulus will fall outside the blindspot and will be detected.  This therefore provides an indication of how well the patient is fixating and is reported as Fixation losses /3 on the chart.

Show Instructions

This option determines the number of instructions screens which are displayed during the test.  If the option is unchecked, only the essential instructions are displayed.

Play Sound

If this option is checked, audio instructions will be played.

Include Demo

If this option is checked, a demonstration phase will be included at the beginning of the test to familiarise the patient with the task.  This phase is exited by pressing the Esc key of clicking on the Finish phase button on the control screen.

10 sec delay before starting test

If this option is checked, a 10 second countdown will be displayed on the test screen to allow patients to prepare for the start of the test.

Default timing allowed for response

When the program is run on a single screen or in Auto mode on dual screen systems, during various phases of the screening the patient is asked to press the space bar if a simulus/stimuli are seen.  The software will wait for a defined period for a response.  If the space bar is not pressed during this period, a Not seen response is assumed.


This interval can be set using the Default timing allowed for response option.


In dual screen mode this can ve varied throughout the test as required.