Visual Field Loss

Overview and Facts about Visual Field Loss

Visual field loss occurs when the range of what you can see (when focused on a central point) narrows or changes.

Visual field loss is different from vision strength because it is not correctable with glasses or contact lenses and relies entirely on the scope of your vision.

Signs and Symptoms of Visual Field Loss

Because so much of the visual field is interchangeable between both eyes, visual defects can be difficult to diagnose.

As a result, signs and symptoms in milder cases are not always obvious. Consult with your doctor if you experience changes in your vision field.

Signs and symptoms of visual field loss include:

• Bumping into things
• Blurry vision when watching television or working on the computer
• Difficulty reading
• Spots in your vision or a sense that your focus area has narrowed

Causes and Risk Factors of Visual Field Loss

Visual field loss is influenced by many factors, including temporary or treatable health issues such as migraine headaches, overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism) and high blood pressure.

Diseases of the central nervous system (multiple sclerosis, for example) can also lead to visual field loss.

Risk factors for developing visual field loss include:

• Cancer
• Diabetes
• Glaucoma
• Macular degeneration
• Retinal detachment

Tests and Diagnosis of Visual Field Loss

Tests that help your doctor diagnose visual field loss include the Donder’s test: with one of your eyes covered, or both eyes uncovered, the examiner slowly moves an object or finger into your field of vision, and you let the examiner know when you can see the object or finger.

Another common test relies on small white lights flashed in various sections of your optimal vision range.

Treatment and Care for Visual Field Loss

The treatment and care for visual field loss depend on the underlying cause. The key is prevention or stopping the progression.

Treatments and care for visual field loss include:

• Eye drops taken regularly after a glaucoma diagnosis
• Prism lenses added to your prescription lenses to improve your visual fiel
• Retraining your eye to see differently with the help of a specialist

Visual field loss is frequently permanent; however, depending on the underlying cause, treatment can often prevent further visual scope reduction.