Näkökenttävikoja

Näkökenttävikoja, known in English as visual field defects or visual field loss, refers to the absence of vision in a specific area of the visual field. The visual field is the entire area that can be seen when the eye is fixed in one position. These defects can manifest in various ways, including blind spots (scotomas), tunnel vision, or loss of peripheral vision.

The causes of näkökenttävikoja are diverse and can stem from problems within the eye itself, the optic nerve, or the visual pathways in the brain. Ocular conditions such as glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, retinal detachment, and macular degeneration can all lead to visual field loss. Damage to the optic nerve, often caused by glaucoma or optic neuritis, can also result in these defects. Furthermore, neurological conditions affecting the brain, including strokes, tumors, or trauma, can disrupt the processing of visual information and cause näkökenttävikoja.

Diagnosis typically involves a visual field test, also known as perimetry. This test measures the extent of an individual's visual field by presenting lights at various points and recording when they are detected. Treatment depends entirely on the underlying cause. For some conditions, like glaucoma, early intervention can slow progression and preserve remaining vision. For others, such as vision loss due to a stroke, the damage may be permanent, and management focuses on adapting to the visual impairment and using compensatory strategies.