The useful field of view test: a new technique for evaluating age-related declines in visual function.

Many older adults eventually experience difficulty in everyday visual activities, prompting them to consult with an eye care specialist. In some cases, a thorough examination may reveal no clinical basis for these difficulties. New techniques for evaluating age-related declines in visual function have substantiated the existence of deficits in visual attention that are not adequately captured by standard clinical measures, and which are predictive of real world problems in driving and mobility. These new techniques may serve an important function in guiding the diagnosis, and treatment of those older adults experiencing functional visual problems.