Tunnel (peripheral) vision is a visual defect in which the patient has the impression that he or she is looking through a tube or tunnel. There can be many reasons for this symptom, and it is on finding the right one that treatment will depend on. Find out what causes tunnel vision and how to deal with it.

Tunnel visionis a limitation of the field of view, which can be compared to looking into a well or through a viewfinder. As a result, it is difficult for a person to see what is on the sides, top and bottom. The disorder most often affects older people, but it happens to younger people, and even children. It may occur suddenly or develop gradually over many years. Another name for this disease is peripheral vision. Where does it come from?

Reasons for tunnel vision

There are a number of factors that can lead to tunnel vision, e.g .:

  • migraine
  • eye diseases such as glaucoma, cataracts, retinal detachment, retinitis pigmentosa
  • side effect of taking various medications
  • excessive exercise
  • alcohol, drugs
  • depressive states, chronic stress, long-term other negative emotions (more on this below)
  • multiple sclerosis
  • brain tumor
  • ischemic stroke

Glaucoma - what should you know about it?

Tunnel vision in psychology

There is also another meaning of the term: tunnel vision. In psychology, in the presuicidal syndrome, i.e. preceding an attempt to commit suicide, tunnel vision is defined as a condition in which the patient does not see any other way out of the difficult situation in which he finds himself, except to take his own life. Even when relatives directly provide these solutions, they are not satisfactory for the patient. In addition, the accumulation of negative emotions can actually lead to a physical narrowing of the field of view. How does it happen? Chronic stress causes an overproduction of adrenaline, which in turn can lead to an increase in intraocular pressure. Even if it is a slight hypertension, if it persists for a long time, it can cause various types of eye disorders, including blurred vision, seeing something that is not there, and also just tunnel vision.

Treatment of tunnel vision

Treatmentthis disease is difficult because it depends on the cause. Under no circumstances should tunnel vision be underestimated and as soon as it occurs, consult a doctor. It is also very important to watch for any additional symptoms. They can be, for example :

  • eye pain
  • headaches and dizziness
  • feeling sick
  • imbalance
  • numbness in the neck or face

but also many other symptoms. You have to tell the doctor about them, because it might lead him to the right track faster. If tunnel vision is accompanied by spots in front of the eyes, pain and redness in the eyes, sometimes even blindness and nausea - it could be glaucoma. A general deterioration in eyesight, along with undulating images or flashes, may indicate retinal detachment. Severe headaches with tunnel vision likely mean that this is "just" one of the symptoms of migraine. As previously mentioned, a brain tumor may also show signs of tunnel vision, and then it may be accompanied by other visual disturbances (waves, flashes, scotomas, amblyopia), and even hallucinations.

Depending on the interview, the doctor should refer the patient to an ophthalmological, neurological, ENT and psychiatric consultation. Treatment is determined after diagnosis. And yes, it could be surgery (in the case of a tumor), psychotropic drugs and psychotherapy (in the case of mental problems) or a change in the intensity of activity (in the case of exercise tunnel vision).

Category:

Eye diseases and vision disorders