Sjónsviði

Sjónsviði is an Icelandic term that translates to "visual field" or "field of vision" in English. It refers to the entirety of the area that an individual can see at any given moment without moving their head or eyes. This area is typically described in terms of its horizontal and vertical extent. The sjónsviði encompasses both central vision, which is the sharpest and most detailed part of our sight used for reading and recognizing faces, and peripheral vision, which detects movement and general shapes in the wider environment.

The sjónsviði can be affected by various factors, including the anatomy of the eye, the health of the visual pathways in the brain, and the presence of certain medical conditions. For example, conditions like glaucoma can cause a gradual loss of peripheral sjónsviði, leading to tunnel vision. Similarly, damage to the optic nerve or the visual cortex in the brain can result in blind spots or a reduction in the overall sjónsviði. Doctors often test the sjónsviði as part of a comprehensive eye examination to detect and monitor visual impairments. The extent of a person's sjónsviði is crucial for everyday activities such as driving, navigating environments, and avoiding obstacles.