Certified Neuroscience Registered Nurse (CNRN) Practice Exam

Patients with which condition often require quantitative monitoring of visual fields?

1. Glaucoma

2. Idiopathic intracranial hypertension

3. Cataracts

4. Retinal detachment

The correct answer is: Idiopathic intracranial hypertension

Patients with idiopathic intracranial hypertension often require quantitative monitoring of visual fields due to the potential risk of optic nerve damage caused by elevated intracranial pressure. This condition can lead to visual field deficits that may not be evident during a standard eye examination, hence the necessity for more detailed and quantitative assessments. Monitoring visual fields can help detect changes early, allowing for timely interventions that may preserve vision. In contrast, conditions like glaucoma also involve monitoring of visual fields but are primarily focused on the progressive loss of peripheral vision due to optic nerve damage from increased intraocular pressure. Detected visual field changes in glaucoma are usually predictable and require different management strategies. Cataracts affect visual acuity and clarity rather than directly influencing the visual field, while retinal detachment can lead to specific visual field losses but is typically monitored for more acute changes in vision rather than quantitative field assessments.