Tunnelvision

Tunnelvision

Tunnel vision is a condition where an individual's field of vision is significantly narrowed, resulting in a loss of peripheral vision. This condition can be caused by various factors, including medical conditions, psychological factors, and environmental influences.

Causes

Tunnel vision can be caused by several underlying conditions, including:

• Glaucoma: A group of eye conditions that damage the optic nerve, often due to high intraocular pressure.
• Retinitis pigmentosa: A genetic disorder that affects the retina's ability to respond to light.
• Stroke: A medical condition where poor blood flow to the brain results in cell death, potentially affecting vision.
• Migraine: Severe headaches that can cause visual disturbances, including tunnel vision.
• Optic neuritis: Inflammation of the optic nerve, often associated with multiple sclerosis.

Symptoms

The primary symptom of tunnel vision is the loss of peripheral vision, which can make it difficult to see objects outside the central field of view. Other symptoms may include:

• Difficulty navigating in low light conditions
• Frequent tripping or bumping into objects
• Difficulty driving, especially at night

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of tunnel vision typically involves a comprehensive eye examination, including:

• Visual field test: Measures the extent of the peripheral vision.
• Ophthalmoscopy: Examines the back of the eye, including the retina and optic nerve.
• Tonometry: Measures the pressure inside the eye.

Treatment

Treatment for tunnel vision depends on the underlying cause. Options may include:

• Medications: To manage conditions like glaucoma or optic neuritis.
• Surgery: In cases where structural issues in the eye are causing the vision loss.
• Lifestyle changes: Such as managing blood pressure and blood sugar levels to prevent conditions like stroke and diabetes.

Prevention

Preventing tunnel vision involves managing risk factors and maintaining overall eye health. Recommendations include:

• Regular eye exams: To detect and treat conditions early.
• Healthy diet: Rich in vitamins and minerals that support eye health.
• Avoiding smoking: As it can increase the risk of eye diseases.

Related Pages

• Peripheral vision
• Visual field
• Optic nerve
• Retina
• Eye examination

See Also

• Blindness
• Visual impairment
• Eye care professional

External

• Age-Related Macular Degeneration

• Amblyopia (Lazy Eye)

• Anophthalmia and Microphthalmia

• Astigmatism

B

• Behçet's Disease* Bietti's Crystalline Dystrophy

• Blepharitis* Blepharospasm

C

• Cataracts

• Coloboma

• Color Blindness

• Corneal Conditions

D

• Diabetic Retinopathy

• Dry Eye

F

• Floaters

G

• Glaucoma

I

• Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension

L

• Low Vision

M

• Macular Edema

• Macular Hole

• Macular Pucker

P

• Pink Eye

R

• Rare Diseases

• Refractive Errors

• Retinal Detachment

• Retinitis Pigmentosa

• Retinoblastoma

• Retinopathy of Prematurity

S

• Stargardt Disease

U

• Usher Syndrome

• Uveitis

V

• Vitreous Detachment

This article is a stub related to medicine. You can help WikiMD by expanding it!