Peripheral Vision Problems

The ability to see objects and movement around the direct line of vision is known as peripheral vision. It is provided by the function of rods cells. These are the nerve cells present outside the center of the retina called 'macula'. Some defects in the eye, caused by genetic predisposition, eye or brain injury or eye disorders, affects peripheral vision. Under such a condition, a person is not able to see properly around the edges and it is mostly not accompanied with any abnormality in central vision. Such type of disorders are called peripheral vision problems.

There are some people who do not have peripheral vision at all. Sudden loss of peripheral vision may be a symptoms of stroke. The common symptoms of peripheral vision loss are, difficulty seeing in dim light, difficulty in navigation while walking and a sensation of seeing through a narrow tube.

Causes of Peripheral Vision Problems
The foremost cause of peripheral vision problems is glaucoma. It is an eye disease that is marked by an increase in the amount of vitreous humor in the eye, and hence increase in the intraocular pressure. Loss of peripheral vision is one of the earliest symptoms of glaucoma. Older people, more than 50 years of age, are at higher risk. Secondly, detached retina is one of the possible reasons behind such problems. The retina gets separated from its underlying supportive tissue and cannot perform its usual functions. Thirdly, papilledema can cause loss of peripheral vision. It is the swelling and compression of the optic nerve head due to injury and abnormally high cerebrospinal fluid pressure. Fourthly, retinitis pigmentosa may result in peripheral vision problems. It is a genetic disease that involves a deterioration of rod cells. Loss of peripheral vision due to retinitis pigmentosa is accompanied with problems in night vision as well. Eye floaters may also lead to problem in peripheral vision. These are specks or flecks that keep on drifting aimlessly around your field of vision. Other probable causes of peripheral vision loss are neurologic damage like optic neuritis, head injuries, eye strokes and brain damage from stroke, injury or disease.

Treatment for Peripheral Vision Problems
If the reason behind peripheral vision problems is glaucoma, then treatment of glaucoma will restore this condition back. One needs to be very careful with the instructions and directions given by the ophthalmologist for curing glaucoma, because if it is not treated on time, it may even lead to complete loss of peripheral vision. The condition of detached retina can be cured by replacing it, with certain surgical techniques.

In case of damage or impairment of the part of the brain controlling vision, the doctor may consider vision therapy as one of the possible treatments for peripheral vision problems. Vision therapy is a non-surgical and customized plan that is designed to treat certain vision problems. It is carried out under the supervision of a specialized ophthalmologist. Vision therapy is a physical therapy for the entire visual system and the part of the brain controlling it.

Little can be done to treat a genetic defect, and hence for the treatment for peripheral vision loss arising from it. However, research is still going on in this field. In case of eye floaters, most of the time no treatment is required, as it usually settles down on the bottom of the eye after some time. However, in severe cases, vitrectomy can be performed. It is a surgical procedure that involves the removal of the vitreous gel containing the floaters. The gel is replaced with a saline solution.

A type of lens called the prism, is added to eye glasses to expand the field of view. This is because, a prism has a precise geometric configuration that enables light rays to be bent in certain ways, which allows peripheral vision to some extent.

Scientific studies are still going on, on the different aspects of peripheral vision. Hopefully, some remedy for it will be available soon, that will help thousands of unfortunate people suffering from peripheral vision problems.