Tunnel vision: causes, symptoms, methods of treatment

Visual problems always negatively affect the quality of human life. It is worth noting that eye diseases in our time are younger. There are also quite rare pathologies that are still poorly understood by medicine.One of such pathologies is tunnel vision.In this article we will talk about why this disease occurs, what symptoms are accompanied, how to treat it correctly.

Definition of disease

In the case of tunnel vision, the field of vision is narrowed.The field of vision is divided into central and peripheral.

As a result of the fact that this disease is progressing, a person ceases to see side objects. He sees only those of them that are located in the center.

tunnel vision is most often diagnosed in men. This is explained by physiological characteristics. Men are used to focusing the sight on the goal. While women have better developed lateral vision.

Tunnel vision is one-sided and two-sided.The drop in the field of view causes considerable discomfort. People with tunnel vision can not drive a car, move independently along the street and even in an apartment, while bumping into invisible objects.

To diagnose tunnel vision, it is necessary to collect anamnesis and undergo an examination with an ophthalmologist.In order to accurately establish the visible area, a person undergoes special tests. For an accurate diagnosis, doctors use methods such as perimetry and tonometry. With their help, you can accurately determine what a person sees and at what stage the disease is. After finding out the cause of the appearance of tunnel vision, treatment is prescribed.

Causes

Causes of tunnel vision:

1. Degenerative processes of the retina.
2. Glaucoma, cataract.
3. Incorrectly performed laser photocoagulation technique.
4. Poisoning with nitrogenous substances.
5. Long-term use of psychotropic drugs.
6. Hypoxia.
7. Sharp pressure drops.
8. Inflammatory processes in the optic nerve, retina.
9. Mechanical damage to the visual apparatus.
10. Exposure to alcohol toxins.
11. Seduction of the optic nerve in malignant, benign neoplasms.
12. Inflammatory processes of the brain, abscesses.
13. Craniocerebral trauma.
14. Multiple sclerosis.
15. Chronic diseases of the throat, nose, ears, eyes.
16. Degeneration of retinal pigment and so on.

tunnel vision is not inherited. Only multiple ophthalmic causes are transmitted, which subsequently cause the disease. Therefore, if a person is at risk, the oculist should be visited twice a year. This is the only way to prevent irreversible processes and save sight.

Symptoms

Symptoms of atrophy of the optic nerve are associated with the process of withering away the fibers that make up the nerve.

The first symptom of tunnel vision is a deterioration in the perception of the surrounding world, which can not be corrected with the help of glasses or lenses. Over time, a person observes narrowing of the field of vision. Items located on the sides can be seen, but only turning their head, so that they fall into the field of central perception.

Also people with tunnel vision see scotoma.They are dark spots. Such a symptom indicates a serious lesion of the optic nerve.

if the pathology is triggered, the vision decreases very quickly. Sometimes it happens in two to three weeks. In this case, it is necessary to contact the ophthalmologist as soon as possible.

Possible complications

This disease is irreversibly progressing without proper treatment.As a result, everything can end with a complete loss of vision.

Treatment

Treating tunnel vision takes a long time.

the obligatory condition of therapy is the regular performance of exercises to restore peripheral vision.

But these should be done only in conjunction with the main therapy to eliminate the cause that caused the disease.

Treatment objectives:

1. Remove swelling, eliminate inflammation.
2. Improve circulation in the optic nerve.
3. Improve the conductivity of nerve impulses.
4. Restore the conductivity of not completely destroyed fibers.

   Tetracycline removes swelling and cleans inflammation.

Patients with tunnel vision should learn to translate eyes from side to side while moving. This will not interfere with other people and objects.At first, all objects representing the danger should be removed from the patient's room.

Medication

First of all, treatment should be aimed at eliminating the disease that triggered the development of tunnel vision. It can be both medicamental and physiotherapeutic.

Surgically

Sometimes, in tunnel vision, laser correction or surgery is prescribed. But for this purpose it is necessary to be completely surveyed to have indications for operation. If you suppress the process of the development of the disease, then there is the opportunity to restore vision.

Laser surgery

Prevention

In order to prevent the development of tunnel vision, a person at risk of glaucoma should be examined annually from an ophthalmologist. This is especially true for people over thirty-five years old.

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conclusions

Tunnel vision is not an independent disease. If timely treatment of the underlying disease that caused this pathology can be prevented, visual loss can be prevented.

Most often, vision can be restored. But if the treatment does not start on time, then you can completely go blind.