What is peripheral vision?

Peripheral vision is the ability of the human eye to perceive objects outside the central field of vision. It allows us to register stimuli from peripheral parts of the visual field, which plays a key role in spatial orientation, safety and responding to movement. Peripheral vision allows us, for example, to notice moving objects or changes in the environment without having to focus our eyes directly on them.

This vision is made possible by the rod cells in the retina, which are particularly sensitive to movement and changes in light, especially in low-light conditions. Although the rods enable vision in the dark, they do not distinguish colours, which is the task of the cone cells responsible for central vision.

Peripheral vision function can be impaired by various factors, such as retinal detachment, increased intraocular pressure in glaucoma or ocular trauma. Loss of peripheral vision significantly affects quality of life, leading to difficulties in orientation and daily functioning.¹

Central and peripheral field of vision

Central vision and peripheral vision have different but complementary functions in the visual process. Central vision is responsible for the accurate perception of details and colours in the centre of the visual field, making it possible, for example, to read or recognise faces. Peripheral vision, on the other hand, allows us to perceive light stimuli and perceive movement at the periphery of the visual field, which is crucial for orientation and safety.

Differences between central and peripheral vision:

• Central vision focuses on sharpness and colours thanks to the cone cells of the retina.
• Peripheral vision uses rod cells, which are more sensitive to movement and light, especially in low-light conditions.

Peripheral vision problems, such as reduced visual angle or tunnel vision, result from diseases such as glaucoma or retinal detachment. Regular examinations help diagnose these conditions at an early stage, allowing them to be treated effectively.

Good functioning of both types of vision ensures full perception of the surrounding world and the ability to react quickly to stimuli.²

How to practise peripheral vision?

Peripheral vision can be strengthened with simple exercises. Regular training supports the eye's ability to register stimuli at the periphery of the visual field, which is particularly helpful for problems such as tunnel vision.

Simple exercises:

1. Observing movement: Look at one point and try to spot objects moving at the periphery of the field of vision.
2. Expanding your field of vision: Concentrate your gaze on the centre of the text and try to see the words on the sides.
3. Mirror exercises: Look at your reflection in the mirror and try to register the movements around your face.

Why exercise?

Regular exercise improves the ability to register stimuli and can help delay the effects of visual field restriction caused by diseases such as glaucoma.

Loss of peripheral vision

Loss of peripheral vision is a serious problem that can significantly affect quality of life. Weakened peripheral vision leads to a reduced field of vision, which makes daily functioning, such as walking and driving, more difficult.

Causes of peripheral vision loss:

• Tunnel vision - most commonly caused by glaucoma, pigmentary retinopathy or optic nerve damage.
• Retinal diseases, such as dehiscence or retinal degeneration.
• Eye or head injuries, which can affect the nerves responsible for the visual field.

Conservative and specialist treatment:

Early diagnosis is crucial to prevent further loss of vision. Depending on the cause, eye pressure-lowering drops, laser therapy or surgery are used. Regular examinations and appropriate treatment help to slow the progression of disease and preserve as much of the visual field as possible.

What does telescopic vision mean?

Tunnel vision, also known as tunnel vision, is a disorder characterised by a severely restricted field of vision, whereby a person can only see the central part of the environment, similar to seeing through a telescope. It is like looking at distant objects in the mountains, where the limited field of vision forces one to move the head or change position to see other details. This symptom often accompanies serious eye conditions such as glaucoma or pigmentary retinopathy. During eye examinations, the patient observes a shifting point of light, which helps to assess the state of the visual field and detect any gloom.

Causes of telescopic vision:

• High intraocular pressure - occurring in glaucoma, which leads to damage to the optic nerve.
• Retinal diseases, such as retinal pigmentary degeneration.
• Disease - Various diseases, including glaucoma, can lead to progressive optic nerve atrophy, resulting in tunnel vision.
• Glaucoma - Glaucoma is one of the most common causes of tunnel vision, affecting an estimated 70 million people worldwide. The disease is characterised by progressive optic nerve atrophy and increased intraocular pressure, leading to visual field loss, including the tunnel vision typical of glaucoma.
• Neurological damage, e.g. as a result of a stroke.

How does it affect daily life?

People with lunette vision have difficulty perceiving light stimuli and moving objects from different directions. Chronic stress can affect the field of vision, leading to difficulty seeing their surroundings. In everyday situations, such as walking or driving, they may be more prone to accidents. Tunnel vision can occur suddenly or develop gradually.

Ophthalmic examinations, such as perimetry, can diagnose this type of disorder and monitor its progression. Early detection and treatment of the condition, such as lowering intraocular pressure, can slow the development of telescopic vision.