Conditions That Affect Peripheral Vision By Gordon Wong, OD on September 13, 2017

At Gordon Wong Eye Designs & Optometry, we offer comprehensive eye exams along with the diagnosis and treatment of a wide range of vision problems. Our vision care services encompass a variety of conditions, including those that affect peripheral vision. Early intervention is essential when it comes to managing eye conditions that affect peripheral vision, which is why we encourage patients of our eye care practice to have at least annual eye exams. Even people with seemingly excellent vision can benefit from regular eye exams, as an ounce of prevention truly is worth a pound of cure when it comes to the health of your eyes.

We encourage you to read about the following common conditions that affect peripheral vision as described by our La Jolla, CA vision care experts. We then urge you to schedule your comprehensive eye exam at Gordon Wong Eye Designs & Optometry, especially if you haven’t had an eye exam within the past year.

There is nothing more precious than your vision. Regular eye exams can help to ensure that you maintain optimal vision for a lifetime.

Tunnel Vision: The Loss of Peripheral Vision

When a person loses his or her peripheral vision, whether entirely or partially, the resulting condition is referred to as “tunnel vision.” The practical result of tunnel vision is a visual field that is essentially a circle directly in front of the eyes, as though looking through a tunnel. The person’s peripheral vision may be heavily distorted or simply blacked out.

Common Vision Conditions That Compromise Peripheral Vision

The most common vision conditions that can compromise a person’s peripheral vision include:

Glaucoma: Elevated intraocular pressure can result in a condition called primary open-angle glaucoma. The most obvious symptom of primary open-angle glaucoma is compromised peripheral vision resulting from optic nerve damage. It is therefore extremely important to seek immediate treatment if you experience loss of your peripheral vision. If left untreated, primary open-angle glaucoma will result in blindness. On the other hand, while there is no cure for glaucoma, its symptoms can be managed well for years if caught in its early stages.
Retinal damage: If the peripheral areas of the retina are damaged, peripheral vision can be compromised or lost as a result. Loss of peripheral vision in early childhood can be a symptom of retinitis pigmentosa, a rare congenital disease that eventually results in blindness. It can also be a sign of a detached retina.
Eye occlusions: Eye occlusions, or “eye strokes,” occur when there is a blockage of the flow of blood to the eye’s internal structures, such as the optic nerve. This blockage can lead to peripheral vision loss.

As serious as these conditions are, loss of peripheral vision can indicate even more serious damage to the brain, such as might occur during a stroke. Therefore, any change in peripheral vision should be treated as a medical emergency and be dealt with immediately.