Eye diseases can affect the vision. One aspect of vision is the visual field.
The visual field is the total width of your vision. The width of your vision is measured in degrees. The width of vision in one eye is 60 degrees toward the nose and 100 degrees the other way toward the ear. It is 60 degrees upwards and 75 degrees downward toward the ground.
We call a problem with the visual field a visual field defect. A visual field defect exists if
- the width of the visual field is narrower than normal.
- there is a loss of the sensitivity of vision anywhere within the visual field.
A common eye condition that causes narrower visual fields and loss of sensitivity of vision is glaucoma. More information about glaucoma can be found here.
Strokes can also cause visual field defects. More information can be found here.
Some tumors in the brain can also cause visual field defects. More information can be found here.
The standard way to test for visual field defects is to perform a visual field test.
When there is a visual field defect, early presentation to and diagnosis by a qualified eye professional may reduce further loss of vision or lead to discovery of other health problems.