What Is the Melbourne Rapid Fields Test?
If you have used G-Screen or read about how it works, you may have noticed a reference to something called Melbourne Rapid Fields. Understanding what this technology is and why it matters helps explain how modern visual field assessment has evolved beyond the traditional clinic setting.
The origins of Melbourne Rapid Fields
Melbourne Rapid Fields (MRF) is a visual field testing platform developed at the University of Melbourne by Professor Algis Vingrys and Associate Professor George Kong. Their goal was to create a clinically validated, portable alternative to the large, expensive perimetry machines that have traditionally been the only option for assessing peripheral vision.
The result is a web-based application that can run on tablets and computers, making visual field assessment far more accessible than it has ever been. MRF is registered with the Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) under ARTG listing 282166 and has also received FDA clearance in the United States, reflecting the rigorous clinical validation the platform has undergone.
Melbourne Rapid Fields is TGA-registered (ARTG 282166) and FDA-cleared, meaning it has met the regulatory standards required for clinical use in both Australia and the United States.
How the test works
A Melbourne Rapid Fields assessment works by presenting small flashing light stimuli at various locations across your visual field while you focus on a central point. The concept is straightforward: you respond each time you see a flash of light, and the system maps which areas of your peripheral vision are responding normally and which may show reduced sensitivity.
The test is delivered through a web-based interface, which means it does not require specialised hardware beyond a screen. During the assessment, stimuli appear at different brightness levels and in different locations. The platform uses an adaptive algorithm to efficiently determine the threshold of sensitivity at each test point, adjusting the brightness of subsequent stimuli based on your responses.
Each eye is tested separately. The person taking the test covers one eye and focuses on a fixation target in the centre of the screen, then taps or clicks whenever they detect a flash of light in their peripheral vision. The entire process typically takes a few minutes per eye.
How MRF differs from traditional perimetry
For decades, the gold standard for visual field testing has been the Humphrey Field Analyzer (HFA), a large, bowl-shaped instrument found in optometry and ophthalmology clinics. While the HFA remains an essential clinical tool, it has some practical limitations:
- Size and cost. A Humphrey Field Analyzer is a substantial piece of equipment that costs tens of thousands of dollars. It requires a dedicated space in a clinical setting.
- Clinic-only access. Because of the equipment requirements, visual field testing has historically only been available in optometry practices, ophthalmology clinics and hospitals.
- Test duration. A standard HFA test can take 5 to 8 minutes per eye, and some patients find the experience fatiguing, which can affect reliability.
Melbourne Rapid Fields addresses several of these limitations. Because it is web-based, it can run on commercially available tablets and computers. This portability opens up the possibility of visual field assessment in settings that would never have had access to a Humphrey machine, such as pharmacies, community health centres and remote clinics.
MRF tests are also generally faster than traditional perimetry while still providing clinically meaningful data about visual field sensitivity. Research published in peer-reviewed journals has demonstrated good agreement between MRF results and those obtained with conventional perimeters.
Why G-Screen uses Melbourne Rapid Fields
G-Screen was designed as an educational awareness tool that helps people learn about their peripheral vision and understand potential risk factors for glaucoma. When selecting the underlying technology for the visual field component of the risk check, Melbourne Rapid Fields was the clear choice for several reasons:
- Clinical pedigree. Developed at a world-leading university with extensive peer-reviewed research supporting its validity.
- Regulatory recognition. TGA registration and FDA clearance provide confidence in the platform's quality and safety standards.
- Portability. The web-based nature of MRF means it can be deployed in pharmacy kiosk settings where traditional perimetry equipment would be impractical.
- Accessibility. By removing the need for expensive specialised hardware, MRF makes it possible to bring visual field awareness to communities rather than waiting for communities to come to the clinic.
It is important to understand that G-Screen uses MRF technology as part of an educational awareness experience. G-Screen does not diagnose glaucoma or any other condition. The results provide educational information that may encourage individuals to seek a comprehensive eye examination with a qualified optometrist or ophthalmologist.
The bigger picture
The development of platforms like Melbourne Rapid Fields represents a broader shift in eye care: making assessment tools more portable, more accessible and more practical for community-level use. Traditional perimetry is not going anywhere, and a full clinical examination with an eye care professional remains essential for anyone with concerns about their vision or eye health.
But by bringing validated visual field technology out of the clinic and into everyday settings, we can help more people become aware of their eye health earlier. To learn more about the team behind G-Screen and our advisory panel, visit our about page.