Causes and Treatment of Tunnel Vision

The term tunnel vision describes a restricted field of vision where you can see straight ahead, but the vision to the sides—called peripheral vision—is lost. Having tunnel vision, also known as peripheral vision loss, is much like looking through a narrow tube.

There are many causes of tunnel vision, including diseases of the eyes or optic nerve (such as glaucoma or optic neuritis) or an injury to the brain (such as a stroke or traumatic head injury). The treatment varies by the cause.

This article describes the symptoms and causes of tunnel vision, including the signs of a medical emergency. It also explains how to cope with a condition that affects 13% of adults over 65.

What Tunnel Vision Feels Like

The main symptom of tunnel vision is the loss of peripheral vision. Peripheral vision is the field of vision outside of the center of your gaze.

Peripheral vision plays an important role in sensing motion outside your direct line of sight without turning your head. This helps with driving, playing sports, and generally moving around without bumping into things.

The most obvious sign of tunnel vision syndrome is obscured peripheral vision in one or both eyes. Other signs of tunnel vision include:

• Having to turn your head to see things at your side
• Bumping into objects outside of your field of vision, including door frames and steps
• Trouble seeing at night
• Having to drive your car slower to keep in your lane
• Difficulty navigating in dim lighting, such as in a dark movie theater
• Difficulty catching things tossed at you
• Feeling startled by things approaching you from the sides

Depending on the cause, you may also experience blurred vision.

What Causes Tunnel Vision?

Tunnel vision can affect anyone of any age but is more common in older adults whose vision may be naturally deteriorating.

Many conditions can lead to tunnel vision, including:

• Retinal detachment, an emergency that occurs when a layer of tissue in the back of the eye becomes separated from the blood vessels that provide it with oxygen
• Glaucoma, a group of conditions that can lead to blindness and is often caused by higher-than-normal eye pressure
• Retinitis pigmentosa, a rare inherited eye disease that causes damage to the back of the eye, or retina
• Optic neuritis, inflammation of the optic caused by viral illnesses like the mumps and measles, autoimmune diseases like multiple sclerosis, or for unknown reasons
• Blood loss to certain parts of the brain or eye
• A tumor, or abnormal tissue growth, pressing on the optic nerve
• Stress and anxiety, which can worsen existing tunnel vision or cause it
  
• Brain trauma
• Stroke
• Migraine, or a type of headache that can cause light and sound sensitivity

True tunnel vision is most often associated with severe glaucoma, retinitis pigmentosa, and retinal detachment. 

An often under-reported cause of tunnel vision is pseudotumor cerebri, or a false brain tumor. This condition occurs when pressure around the brain increases due to fluid buildup around the brain and spinal cord. This may cause vision problems and headaches.

How Tunnel Vision Is Treated

In some cases, vision loss can be permanent. However, there are still ways to improve your quality of life. Depending on the underlying condition, tunnel vision may be treated with:

• Eyeglasses and prism lenses
• Laser treatment, an eye procedure, that may help with retinal detachment and may or may not help correct peripheral vision loss
• Oral and nasal drugs that reduce inflammation associated with migraines, as well as preventative treatments like injections and medical devices that target how the brain processes pain
• Anti-anxiety medication and psychotherapy to help reduce symptoms of anxiety and stress
  

When to Seek Medical Care

Tunnel vision should never be considered normal no matter your age. Even if the impairment is minimal and not affecting your ability to function in daily life, it should still be seen as a matter of urgency.

On the other hand, seek immediate medical care if tunnel vision:

• Develops suddenly and severely
• Is accompanied by vision loss in one or both eyes
• Is accompanied by severe eye pain
• Is accompanied by new floaters or flashes
• Is accompanied by extreme headache pain

Coping With Tunnel Vision

It’s important to treat the underlying cause of tunnel vision if possible. You can also use coping strategies like these.

• Make sure you see your eye doctor on a regular basis to ensure your eyes are healthy.
• Keep potentially dangerous furniture or objects put away to make sure your home is as safe to navigate as possible.
• Consider joining a support group to connect with others going through similar experiences.
• See a visual rehabilitation specialist who treats people with low vision
• Meet with an orientation and mobility specialist who helps individuals with visual impairments move about safely, confidently, and independently 
• See a mental health professional to manage anxiety or depression

Summary

Tunnel vision, or loss of peripheral vision, is most often caused by eye conditions like glaucoma or a detached retina. Other conditions can also lead to tunnel vision. including stroke. migraine, multiple sclerosis, and anxiety.

Tunnel vision can impact your ability to navigate your environment and make certain tasks, such as driving or walking at night, difficult to dangerous. Tunnel vision can often be resolved by treating the underlying cause.