Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsDefinitionCausesTestsWhen to See a Healthcare ProviderCopingFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Definition
Causes
Tests
When to See a Healthcare Provider
Coping
Frequently Asked Questions
Peripheral vision is our ability to see out of the corner of our eyes. This means that we’re able to see things outside of our direct line of vision without having to turn our heads: a skill that comes in handy throughout our waking hours, even when we don’t realize it.
When there’s a problem with our peripheral vision, it means that it takes more effort to see what’s around us; this may result in tripping, falling, or other accidents.
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Understanding Peripheral Vision
There are two main types of vision that we use every day, usually without thinking about it. These include:
Of course, when the term is used in relation to a person, it’s figurative; meaning that they have a limited view on something and ignoring (either deliberately or unconsciously) other perspectives around them. So when we’re talking about our literal peripheral vision, it’s referring to being able to see what’s going on out of our direct line of vision.
Causes of Peripheral Vision Loss
When someoneexperiences a loss of their peripheral vision, it is sometimes referred to as “tunnel vision.” To get a better idea of what is going on in an eye with peripheral vision loss, we must look to the two types of cells in the retina that respond to light:
So when someone has an eye condition that impacts the rods' function, that could lead to the loss of their peripheral vision—even if their cones are still fully operational.
Signs of Peripheral Vision Loss
Loss of peripheral vision can happen gradually—to the point where a person doesn’t notice the onset—or suddenly, in which case it can be alarming and scary. Though in some cases (especially when the vision loss is gradual), people may not notice any signs that they’re living with a limited view. But in other cases, there are a variety of signs that are hard to miss, including:
Conditions That May Result in Peripheral Vision Loss
Unless it is the result of an injury, the loss of a person’s peripheral vision is typically a symptom of an eye condition. These can range from something minor and temporary, to more serious conditions, including:
How to Test Peripheral Vision
A person’s peripheral vision is tested during the visual field test component of a comprehensive eye exam with their optometrist or ophthalmologist.
“Visual field” refers to the width of the area a person can see while focusing on a central point, so testing it gives the healthcare provider a better idea of a patient’s peripheral vision capabilities. It’s one of the many reasons why it’s so important to get regular eye exams. When the healthcare provider has your visual field baseline, they can compare future tests to it in order to see if your vision has gotten worse over time.
The most common way to test someone’s peripheral vision is with a confrontation visual field test. During this part of the exam, the patient will be asked to look directly at an object in front of them—like the healthcare provider’s nose or their headgear—while one eye is covered. While continuing to stare straight ahead, the healthcare provider will hold up different numbers of fingers (or something similar) in the patient’s peripheral vision and ask them what they’re able to see. This will help the healthcare provider assess the quality of their peripheral vision and if it’s lower than expected, it could be a signal that further testing might be needed.
At-Home Peripheral Vision TestAlthough it is not a replacement for a healthcare provider’s visit and comprehensive eye exam, it is possible to take a peripheral vision test online. More specifically, it’s a test formacular degenerationcalled theAmsler grid test. While it’s recommended that people at risk for macular degeneration take the test daily, those who simply want to get a better idea of their peripheral vision capabilities can take it as needed.
At-Home Peripheral Vision Test
Although it is not a replacement for a healthcare provider’s visit and comprehensive eye exam, it is possible to take a peripheral vision test online. More specifically, it’s a test formacular degenerationcalled theAmsler grid test. While it’s recommended that people at risk for macular degeneration take the test daily, those who simply want to get a better idea of their peripheral vision capabilities can take it as needed.
What Is the Amsler Grid?
If you lose your peripheral vision temporarily—as a result of afloateror ocularmigraine, for example—and this is something that you’ve previously discussed with your healthcare provider, follow any instructions they gave you then. In any other situation, if you’ve lost your peripheral vision, it’s important to see a healthcare provider as soon as possible, as it could be the symptom of a serious underlying condition.
When Is Peripheral Vision Loss an Emergency?When a person’s loss of peripheral vision happens slowly over time—in which case, they may not even notice—it’s something to bring up with their healthcare provider at their next exam.But in cases when the peripheral vision loss is sudden, it’s time to seek emergency treatment, as it could be the sign of a serious condition like a stroke or brain aneurysm.
When Is Peripheral Vision Loss an Emergency?
When a person’s loss of peripheral vision happens slowly over time—in which case, they may not even notice—it’s something to bring up with their healthcare provider at their next exam.But in cases when the peripheral vision loss is sudden, it’s time to seek emergency treatment, as it could be the sign of a serious condition like a stroke or brain aneurysm.
When a person’s loss of peripheral vision happens slowly over time—in which case, they may not even notice—it’s something to bring up with their healthcare provider at their next exam.
But in cases when the peripheral vision loss is sudden, it’s time to seek emergency treatment, as it could be the sign of a serious condition like a stroke or brain aneurysm.
Coping With Peripheral Vision Loss
If a loved one loses their peripheral vision, it may be tempting to try to do everything for them to make their life easier. But in reality, you’re making it more difficult for them to establish their independence and get used to taking care of themselves.
The person who has lost their peripheral vision has to get used to having to turn their head to see things they could previously do without the extra effort.
It’s helpful for the person to go through their own house and do what they can to make sure their pathways are clear, and there aren’t any other obstacles in their way.
Glasses for Peripheral Vision LossEven if the frames and lenses of a pair of glasses are quite large, there are almost always small pockets of uncorrected vision when looking out of the corner of your eye—simply because the lens doesn’t fully cover your eyeball. While many people get used to that, and function perfectly normally with glasses, others decide to get contact lenses instead, which come with much better results when it comes to peripheral vision.
Glasses for Peripheral Vision Loss
Even if the frames and lenses of a pair of glasses are quite large, there are almost always small pockets of uncorrected vision when looking out of the corner of your eye—simply because the lens doesn’t fully cover your eyeball. While many people get used to that, and function perfectly normally with glasses, others decide to get contact lenses instead, which come with much better results when it comes to peripheral vision.
Of course, the decision of how to correct your vision comes down to more than peripheral vision, but it’s something to keep in mind and discuss with your eye healthcare provider.
A Word From Verywell
Having any sort of problem with your eyes can be unsettling, and losing your peripheral vision is no exception. Because it is a symptom of a variety of other medical conditions—including some that are very serious—it’s important to seek medical attention right away if you suddenly lose your peripheral vision. And because it can also be a gradual process, be sure to keep up with your regular eye exams, especially as you age.
Peripheral vision can be tested using a “confrontation visual field test.” First, a doctor stands in front of the person being tested and has them focus on one area, such as the doctor’s headgear. The person being tested covers one eye, and the doctor raises different numbers of fingers in the person’s peripheral vision. They are then asked how many fingers are held up at a time.
Central vision is what we can see directly in front of us, while peripheral vision is what we can see from the corner of our eyes without turning our head.
8 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.Brown LE, Halpert BA, Goodale MA.Peripheral vision for perception and action.Exp Brain Res. 165(1):97-106. doi:10.1007/s00221-005-2285-yUCLA Health.Tunnel vision.American Optometric Association.Vision rehabilitation.American Academy of Ophthalmology.Vision loss, peripheral (side).American Academy of Ophthalmology.Visual field test.American Academy of Ophthalmology.Low vision diagnosis and treatment.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Contact lenses.National Eye Institute.Retinitis pigmentosa.
8 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.Brown LE, Halpert BA, Goodale MA.Peripheral vision for perception and action.Exp Brain Res. 165(1):97-106. doi:10.1007/s00221-005-2285-yUCLA Health.Tunnel vision.American Optometric Association.Vision rehabilitation.American Academy of Ophthalmology.Vision loss, peripheral (side).American Academy of Ophthalmology.Visual field test.American Academy of Ophthalmology.Low vision diagnosis and treatment.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Contact lenses.National Eye Institute.Retinitis pigmentosa.
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.
Brown LE, Halpert BA, Goodale MA.Peripheral vision for perception and action.Exp Brain Res. 165(1):97-106. doi:10.1007/s00221-005-2285-yUCLA Health.Tunnel vision.American Optometric Association.Vision rehabilitation.American Academy of Ophthalmology.Vision loss, peripheral (side).American Academy of Ophthalmology.Visual field test.American Academy of Ophthalmology.Low vision diagnosis and treatment.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Contact lenses.National Eye Institute.Retinitis pigmentosa.
Brown LE, Halpert BA, Goodale MA.Peripheral vision for perception and action.Exp Brain Res. 165(1):97-106. doi:10.1007/s00221-005-2285-y
UCLA Health.Tunnel vision.
American Optometric Association.Vision rehabilitation.
American Academy of Ophthalmology.Vision loss, peripheral (side).
American Academy of Ophthalmology.Visual field test.
American Academy of Ophthalmology.Low vision diagnosis and treatment.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Contact lenses.
National Eye Institute.Retinitis pigmentosa.
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