When you see a horse pulling a buggy, they are often wearing blinders to prevent them from seeing distractions around them, so they stay on one path. Eliminating a horse’s peripheral vision allows them to stay focused.
Peripheral vision is essential for humans because it broadens our vision and can keep us safe. If we lived like horses pulling a cart, then we would have tunnel vision, but this would be detrimental for us.
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Tunnel vision is the loss of peripheral vision – vision on the sides without turning our heads. Tunnel vision can be temporary, or it can be long-lasting.
Common causes of tunnel vision include having glaucoma, cataracts, retinitis pigmentosa, ocular migraines, stroke or concussion, chloridemia, injury-induced blood loss, alcohol-induced intoxication, hallucinogenic drugs, or it could be a side effect of other medications which you may be taking to treat other conditions.
Not having your peripheral vision can be challenging and affect your ability to perform specific tasks along with keeping yourself safe and out of harm’s way. The cause of your peripheral vision loss will determine the mode of treatment. This could involve treating glaucoma or cataracts, reducing alcohol intake, or recovering from a stroke or concussion. There is currently no treatment for tunnel vision caused by retinal disintegration.
It is very important that you take regular care of your vision by going for routine eye exams to detect any changes in vision early on. By detecting vision changes early, you can have greater success in maintaining your vision.
Mohan Garikiparithi got his degree in medicine from Osmania University (University of Health Sciences). He practiced clinical medicine for over a decade before he shifted his focus to the field of health communications. During his active practice he served as the head of the Dept. of Microbiology in a diagnostic centre in India. On a three-year communications program in Germany, Mohan developed a keen interest in German Medicine (Homoeopathy), and other alternative systems of medicine. He now advocates treating different medical conditions without the use of traditional drugs. An ardent squash player, Mohan believes in the importance of fitness and wellness.
