Tunnel Vision

Tunnel Vision

Tunnel Vision is quite a self-explanatory term, It is simply, condition when the eyes’ field of vision is narrowed down to an extent that sideways vision is reduced compared to prior to this condition, without turning the head sideways.

That is why it is also referred as the ‘peripheral vision loss’, Tunnel vision can be either temporary, or it may become permanent.

Causes

Glaucoma

Considered as one of the major medical causes of peripheral vision loss, glaucoma is caused by increased pressure inside the eye eventually damaging the optic nerve. This is when blind spots start appearing through the visual field of people suffering from this disease.

Cataracts

Cataract is an eye condition resulting from the clumping of the protein making up the eye, eventually clouding the lens and affecting the field of vision. In many cases, it also starts damaging the lens from its edges, leading to peripheral vision problems.

Retinitis Pigmentosa

It is a progressive eye disease targeting and damaging the light-sensitive cells in the retina, known as the ‘rods and cones’, which collect the visual information that’s transmitted to the brain. The resulting vision loss often begins with peripheral vision loss.

Retinal Detachment

Retinal detachment involves detachment of the retina from the back of the eye. The visual symptoms of the disease cause flashes and floaters in the peripheral vision region, restricting the field of vision sometimes and leading towards the loss of peripheral vision. Retinal detachment is treated as a vision-threatening emergency. That’s why patients are advised to immediately consult an ophthalmologist in case any signs and symptoms of retinal detachment are observed.

Strokes

Stroke strikes when blood flow to the brain is disrupted, depriving the brain of oxygen and essential nutrients. Dizziness, confused feelings as well as different visual disturbances including peripheral vision loss may result from stroke. Concussion also leads to similar symptoms.

Choroideremia

An extremely rare genetic condition affecting the visual capability almost exclusively only in male population, with the symptoms mostly manifested during childhood. Vision loss continues to affect the victims of this genetic eye disease over a period of years, eventually leading to the total loss of peripheral vision.

Injury Induced Blood Loss

Under certain circumstances, injury induced blood loss in large amount can also lead to tunnel vision.

Alcohol Induced Intoxication

Excessive alcohol consumption can also affect the vision, sometimes even afflicting peripheral vision to the level of tunnel vision syndrome.

Hallucinogenic Drugs

LSD (also known as ‘acid’) is one of the most common examples of hallucinogenic drugs. Other common varieties include ecstasy, psilocybin (‘magic mushrooms’), squid juice, symbionese liberation tablets and so many more. Such hallucinogenic drugs have been known to induce peripheral vision problems, sometimes also leading to tunnel vision temporarily or permanently. Medication.

Not only limited to excessive alcohol and hallucinogenic drugs’ consumption, peripheral vision problems have also been associated with more mundane medication like nitroglycerin, brimonidine, scopolamine and a host of others. Peripheral vision loss is listed among side effects of all these medications. So, make sure to consult a doctor before getting into any kind of medication.

Tunnel Vision Treatment

Losing peripheral vision or getting affected by tunnel vision is likely to affect your life in a lot of different ways. It not only robs you of your ability to see things properly, but it also snatches away the independence and convenience that you enjoyed once in living your life.

Unfortunately, no viable treatment is available in instances when you lose your side vision due to retinal disintegration. That’s why ophthalmologists insist so much on taking good care of your eyes to ensure optimal eye health, an aspect of which is to get regular eye exam. This helps doctors diagnose any possible eye problems as early as possible, making sure to take best care of them in due time.

Moreover, there are certain low vision aids, which when combined with appropriate visual rehabilitation, can help tremendously in augmenting receded vision.