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In this study, we aim to characterize the stress response to a visual field exam performed as part of a standard ophthalmology visit with the use of biometric devices, a standardized anxiety inventory, and measurement of salivary cortisol before and after the test. We further aim to assess how stress responses vary depending on the length of time required to complete testing as well as variability that is dependent on level of experience with performing visual field testing. Finally, we aim to compare the existing visual field technology to a virtual reality platform, both of which are considered to be standard of care assessments. We hypothesize that the visual field test elicits a rise in heart rate and blood pressure, an increase in subjective anxiety scoring, and an increase in salivary cortisol levels. We further hypothesize that patients who are more experienced with visual field testing will demonstrate lower stress indices compared to those with less experience, and that longer test duration is also associated with higher stress indices. Finally, we hypothesize that a visual field exam conducted using the virtual reality platform will elicit lower indices of stress compared to traditional visual field exams.

The primary outcome measures will be change in heart rate, blood pressure, salivary cortisol levels, and state anxiety pre- and post-visual field testing and the difference in these responses between HVF and VRVF