Pituitary adenomas are tumors that can affect vision, sometimes causing vision loss. As they grow in size, pituitary adenomas can put pressure on important structures in the body, such as the optic nerve. Putting pressure on the optic nerve may cause blindness, so it is crucial for eye doctors to detect pituitary tumors before they cause damage to vision.ALFRED PASIEKA / SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY / Getty ImagesPituitary GlandThe pituitary gland is about the size of a bean and is attached to the base of the brain behind the nasal area. Although small, the pituitary controls the secretion of many different types of hormones. It helps maintain growth and development and regulates many different glands, organs, and hormones. Changes in hormones can cause significant changes in our bodies.Pituitary Tumors and VisionThe most common structures that a pituitary tumor compresses are the optic nerve andoptic chiasm. The optic nerve is the nerve cable that connects the eye to the brain. The optic chiasm is the point at which the two optic nerves cross. Optic nerve compression causes a gradual loss of vision or a loss of peripheral vision.Loss of peripheral vision in the temporal or side area of our visual field is called a bitemporalhemianopsia.SymptomsBesides vision changes such asdouble vision,drooping eyelids, and visual field loss, pituitary adenomas also may cause the following symptoms:HeadachesNausea or vomitingChange in sense of smellSexual dysfunctionDepressionUnexplained weight changesChange in menses or early menopauseDiagnosisBecause of their effects on vision,eye doctorsmay be the first to diagnose a pituitary adenoma. To measure the extent of vision loss, eye doctors usually order a computerized visual field test. Because some pituitary tumors can cause hormonal changes, a complete medical history is also taken. The doctor may then order blood and urine testing, as well as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).TreatmentPituitary adenomas are often treated with neurosurgery to remove the tumor. Radiation therapy using X-rays and proton beams is also used to kill tumors. Medications may first be prescribed to help shrink the tumor.What You Should KnowEarly detection of pituitary adenoma is extremely important because of the risk of blindness associated with these tumors. Since your eye doctor is capable of diagnosing pituitary adenoma, see your eye doctor annually.

Pituitary adenomas are tumors that can affect vision, sometimes causing vision loss. As they grow in size, pituitary adenomas can put pressure on important structures in the body, such as the optic nerve. Putting pressure on the optic nerve may cause blindness, so it is crucial for eye doctors to detect pituitary tumors before they cause damage to vision.

ALFRED PASIEKA / SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY / Getty Images

Computer artwork x-ray showing location of pituitary gland

Pituitary Gland

The pituitary gland is about the size of a bean and is attached to the base of the brain behind the nasal area. Although small, the pituitary controls the secretion of many different types of hormones. It helps maintain growth and development and regulates many different glands, organs, and hormones. Changes in hormones can cause significant changes in our bodies.

Pituitary Tumors and Vision

The most common structures that a pituitary tumor compresses are the optic nerve andoptic chiasm. The optic nerve is the nerve cable that connects the eye to the brain. The optic chiasm is the point at which the two optic nerves cross. Optic nerve compression causes a gradual loss of vision or a loss of peripheral vision.Loss of peripheral vision in the temporal or side area of our visual field is called a bitemporalhemianopsia.

Symptoms

Besides vision changes such asdouble vision,drooping eyelids, and visual field loss, pituitary adenomas also may cause the following symptoms:

Diagnosis

Because of their effects on vision,eye doctorsmay be the first to diagnose a pituitary adenoma. To measure the extent of vision loss, eye doctors usually order a computerized visual field test. Because some pituitary tumors can cause hormonal changes, a complete medical history is also taken. The doctor may then order blood and urine testing, as well as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Treatment

Pituitary adenomas are often treated with neurosurgery to remove the tumor. Radiation therapy using X-rays and proton beams is also used to kill tumors. Medications may first be prescribed to help shrink the tumor.

What You Should Know

Early detection of pituitary adenoma is extremely important because of the risk of blindness associated with these tumors. Since your eye doctor is capable of diagnosing pituitary adenoma, see your eye doctor annually.

5 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Lachowicz E, Lubiński W.The importance of the electrophysiological tests in the early diagnosis of ganglion cells and/or optic nerve dysfunction coexisting with pituitary adenoma: an overview.Doc Ophthalmol. 2018;137(3):193-202. doi:10.1007/s10633-018-9659-5Takahashi M, Goseki T, Ishikawa H, Hiroyasu G, Hirasawa K, Shoji N.Compressive lesions of the optic chiasm: subjective symptoms and visual field diagnostic criteria.Neuroophthalmology. 2018;42(6):343-348. doi:10.1080/01658107.2018.1438477American Association of Neurological Surgeons.Pituitary gland and pituitary tumors.American Cancer Society.Tests for pituitary tumors.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Medication (drug therapy) for pituitary tumors.

5 Sources

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Lachowicz E, Lubiński W.The importance of the electrophysiological tests in the early diagnosis of ganglion cells and/or optic nerve dysfunction coexisting with pituitary adenoma: an overview.Doc Ophthalmol. 2018;137(3):193-202. doi:10.1007/s10633-018-9659-5Takahashi M, Goseki T, Ishikawa H, Hiroyasu G, Hirasawa K, Shoji N.Compressive lesions of the optic chiasm: subjective symptoms and visual field diagnostic criteria.Neuroophthalmology. 2018;42(6):343-348. doi:10.1080/01658107.2018.1438477American Association of Neurological Surgeons.Pituitary gland and pituitary tumors.American Cancer Society.Tests for pituitary tumors.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Medication (drug therapy) for pituitary tumors.

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Lachowicz E, Lubiński W.The importance of the electrophysiological tests in the early diagnosis of ganglion cells and/or optic nerve dysfunction coexisting with pituitary adenoma: an overview.Doc Ophthalmol. 2018;137(3):193-202. doi:10.1007/s10633-018-9659-5Takahashi M, Goseki T, Ishikawa H, Hiroyasu G, Hirasawa K, Shoji N.Compressive lesions of the optic chiasm: subjective symptoms and visual field diagnostic criteria.Neuroophthalmology. 2018;42(6):343-348. doi:10.1080/01658107.2018.1438477American Association of Neurological Surgeons.Pituitary gland and pituitary tumors.American Cancer Society.Tests for pituitary tumors.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Medication (drug therapy) for pituitary tumors.

Lachowicz E, Lubiński W.The importance of the electrophysiological tests in the early diagnosis of ganglion cells and/or optic nerve dysfunction coexisting with pituitary adenoma: an overview.Doc Ophthalmol. 2018;137(3):193-202. doi:10.1007/s10633-018-9659-5

Takahashi M, Goseki T, Ishikawa H, Hiroyasu G, Hirasawa K, Shoji N.Compressive lesions of the optic chiasm: subjective symptoms and visual field diagnostic criteria.Neuroophthalmology. 2018;42(6):343-348. doi:10.1080/01658107.2018.1438477

American Association of Neurological Surgeons.Pituitary gland and pituitary tumors.

American Cancer Society.Tests for pituitary tumors.

Johns Hopkins Medicine.Medication (drug therapy) for pituitary tumors.

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