Deterioration of vision (especially in the peripheral field of vision – the so-called visual field loss) is a potential symptom of Glaucoma
The Glaucoma symptom visual field loss occurs due to damage to the optic nerve
The impairment caused by this glaucoma symptom relates to the peripheral field of vision, while the central field of vision often remains largely intact.
People with advanced glaucoma or an advanced stage of glaucoma disease may experience this type of vision loss. Visual field loss occurs because of damage to the optic nerve, which transmits visual signals from the eye to the brain.
Glaucoma symptom visual field loss may shift from the peripheral to the central visual area
Typically, visual field loss starts in the peripheral area, which is around the central field of vision. It is like looking through a tunnel, where the central vision remains relatively clear, but the perception of objects, people or movements around the edge of the field of vision becomes progressively worse.
As glaucoma progresses, this visual field loss may worsen and gradually spread towards the central field of vision.
Brain compensates for a change in vision
Because visual field loss is gradual and may not be noticed at first, many people are late in recognising the change in their vision. This is because the brain is able to combine visual information from both eyes and compensate for the missing peripheral field of vision.
In the early stages, sufferers may not recognise their limitations unless an ophthalmologist performs specific tests to identify the visual field loss.
Early Glaucoma diagnosis is often crucial
Regular eye examinations are therefore crucial to detect glaucoma early and prevent the progression of the disease. Ophthalmologists use specific tests such as the visual field perimetry procedure to quantify visual field loss and monitor the progression of the disease.
Visual field perimetry methods for the diagnosis of the Glaucoma symptom visual field loss
The visual field perimetry procedure is a diagnostic test procedure used to quantify and monitor visual field loss in patients with eye diseases such as glaucoma.
- It allows identification of visual field loss that may be caused by various eye diseases, including glaucoma.
- During the test, the patient fixates on a central point and indicates when they perceive flashes of light or small objects that light up at different points in the visual field.
- The results are presented in a visual field diagram that shows which areas of the visual field are affected.
- Visual field perimetry is performed regularly to monitor the progression of the disease and assess the effectiveness of glaucoma treatment.
