You rely on peripheral vision whenever you notice something out of the corner of your eye. If your loved one starts missing what is happening beside them, that change can raise questions for the whole family. Peripheral vision loss has many possible causes, so an eye-care professional can help you understand what may be affecting their sight. Sudden vision changes may require prompt medical attention.
Key Takeaways
- Peripheral vision loss affects what a person can see to the side while looking straight ahead.
- Glaucoma is one possible cause, but vision changes may also relate to conditions that affect the retina.
- Symptoms alone cannot confirm peripheral vision loss or reveal its cause.
- An eye-care professional can evaluate vision changes and explain which tests may be appropriate.
What is Peripheral Vision Loss?
Peripheral vision lets you see what is beside you while focusing straight ahead. Peripheral vision loss reduces part of that side view. Some people call this change “tunnel vision,” although the location and extent of vision loss can vary.
Your loved one may have trouble noticing objects to one side or moving through an unfamiliar space. However, symptoms alone cannot confirm peripheral vision loss—an eye-care professional needs to perform the appropriate testing and determine what may be causing the change.
What are Common Causes of Peripheral Vision Loss?
Peripheral vision loss is not a diagnosis, as different conditions can affect the eyes or other parts of the visual system.
Possible causes of peripheral vision loss include:
- Glaucoma: Glaucoma damages the optic nerve. The National Eye Institute explains that glaucoma often develops without early symptoms, but later changes may include blind spots or loss of side vision.
- Retinal detachment: A retinal detachment occurs when the retina moves away from its usual position. According to the National Eye Institute, possible warning signs of retinal detachment include sudden flashes or many new floaters. These changes require immediate evaluation.
- Stroke: A stroke can affect parts of the brain involved in processing vision. According to the National Library of Medicine, a stroke’s location can influence the pattern of visual field loss. Sudden vision loss or a sudden change in the visual field—particularly when accompanied by weakness, numbness, facial drooping, difficulty speaking, severe headache, dizziness, or balance changes—requires immediate medical evaluation.
- Migraines: A migraine aura may temporarily change a person’s vision. MedlinePlus describes possible migraine aura symptoms like blind spots or flashing lights.
- Optic neuritis: Optic neuritis is when the optic nerve is inflamed. MedlinePlus notes that the condition may affect vision or color perception. Sudden vision loss, especially with eye pain, needs prompt medical evaluation.
What are Possible Risk Factors for Peripheral Vision Loss?
Peripheral vision loss has many possible causes, so no single set of risk factors applies to everyone. Certain health conditions and personal factors may increase the likelihood of visual field loss.
Possible risk factors include:
- Diabetes: Diabetes can affect the blood vessels in the retina, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
- High blood pressure: High blood pressure may affect eye health and contribute to certain conditions associated with vision changes.
- Eye injury: A serious eye injury may affect the retina or optic nerve. The National Eye Institute identifies serious eye injury as a risk factor for retinal detachment.
- Head injury: A head injury may affect parts of the visual system.
- Age: Getting older may increase the likelihood of certain conditions associated with visual field loss, although age alone does not mean someone will experience peripheral vision loss.
- Family history and genetics: Some eye conditions that increase the risk of peripheral vision loss run in families, according to the National Eye Institute.
- Race and ethnicity: Race or ethnicity does not determine whether someone will lose peripheral vision. However, the National Eye Institute reports that glaucoma risk is higher among African American adults over 40 as well as among Hispanic or Latino adults over 60.
Remember: having a risk factor does not mean your loved one has peripheral vision loss or will develop it.
How Can Someone Help Manage Their Risk of Peripheral Vision Loss?
No single step can prevent every cause of peripheral vision loss. Families can still take practical steps to support an older adult’s eye health:
- Keep up with routine eye care. Comprehensive dilated eye exams can help eye-care professionals identify some conditions before symptoms appear. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends regular dilated eye exams to protect eye health. An eye doctor can suggest an exam schedule based on your loved one’s needs.
- Follow established care plans. If your loved one has a chronic condition like diabetes, encourage them to follow the care plan developed with their licensed healthcare providers.
- Wear protective eyewear when appropriate. Safety glasses or activity-specific eye protection may reduce the chance of an eye injury. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention includes protective eyewear among its eye safety recommendations.
What are Potential Symptoms of Peripheral Vision Loss?
Possible signs of a visual field change may include:
- Missing or dark areas in the side vision
- Blurred areas
- Colors that appear less vivid
- Flashes of light
- New or increasing “floaters”
- Difficulty noticing objects to one side
These signs do not confirm peripheral vision loss and should be evaluated by an appropriate healthcare professional. Sudden vision loss, a sudden increase in flashes or floaters, or a new shadow or curtain-like area in the vision requires prompt medical evaluation.
How Do Healthcare Providers Diagnose Peripheral Vision Loss?
An eye-care professional may ask about the person’s symptoms and review their medical history. Family eye health history may also provide helpful context. The tests used will depend on what the provider finds during the examination.
Possible tests include:
- Confrontation visual field test: The provider asks the person to cover one eye and indicate when an object becomes visible in different parts of the visual field.
- Automated static perimetry: A machine displays stationary points of light. The person indicates when each light becomes visible.
- Kinetic perimetry: A target moves from outside the person’s visual field toward the center. The responses help the provider map the person’s visual field.
- Tonometry: A tonometry test measures pressure inside the eye.
- Dilated eye exam: Eye drops widen the pupils so the provider can examine the retina and optic nerve.
A healthcare provider may order additional testing when the exam suggests another part of the visual system may be involved.
Living with Peripheral Vision Loss
Peripheral vision loss can affect how someone moves through unfamiliar places or notices objects to one side. The effects depend on where the visual field has changed and how much vision is affected.
Your loved one may need time to adjust. Family support can make that process feel less overwhelming. Qualified vision professionals can also help the person explore ways to keep participating in meaningful daily activities.
What are Popular Treatment and Management Options for Peripheral Vision Loss?
No single treatment exists for peripheral vision loss because care depends on the cause. Some changes may be temporary, while other visual field loss may be permanent. Only a licensed healthcare provider can explain what applies to your loved one.
Depending on the diagnosis, an appropriately licensed healthcare provider may recommend or discuss treatment and support options, such as:
- Prescription eye drops
- Other medications
- Surgery or another procedure
- Care for an underlying contributing condition
- Vision aids or adaptive devices
- Vision rehabilitation services
- Coping strategies that support emotional well-being
- Stress-reducing activities
Treatment does not always restore vision that has already been lost. According to the National Eye Institute, vision rehabilitation can help people use their remaining vision through assistive devices. Rehabilitation may also include training for everyday activities.
Finding Support for Changing Vision
Peripheral vision changes do not automatically mean your loved one has a particular condition or will lose their independence. An evaluation can give your family clearer information about what has changed. Once you understand the cause, you can work with qualified professionals to explore suitable care and practical support.
FAQs
What happens to people who lose their peripheral vision?
The effects depend on the location and extent of the change. A person may have trouble noticing objects to the side. Moving through crowded or unfamiliar areas may also become more difficult. An eye-care professional can assess the vision loss, while a vision rehabilitation professional may help the person adapt.
Can peripheral vision loss be corrected?
The answer depends on the underlying cause. Treatment may address some causes, but it does not always restore vision that has already been lost. An eye-care professional can explain whether care aims to address a temporary change or protect the person’s remaining vision.
Can someone drive with peripheral vision loss?
A healthcare provider and the appropriate state licensing authority should address that question for the individual. Driving requirements vary by state and may depend on formal vision testing. Families can use USAGov’s directory of state motor vehicle services to find the correct licensing agency.
Is peripheral vision loss a disability?
Peripheral vision loss does not automatically establish disability status. Eligibility depends on the rules of the applicable program and the results of formal testing. For example, the Social Security Administration uses specific medical criteria when evaluating visual field loss. The agency administering a particular program can explain its requirements.
Disclaimers: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute healthcare advice, diagnosis, or treatment and is not intended to replace individualized guidance from a qualified healthcare professional.
