Medical Advisory BoardAll articles are reviewed for accuracy by our Medical Advisory Board
Educational purpose only • Exercise caution as content is pending human review
Article Review Status
Submitted
Under Review
Approved

Last updated: July 18, 2025View editorial policy

Personalize

Help us tailor your experience

Which best describes you? Your choice helps us use language that's most understandable for you.

Differential Diagnosis for Bilateral Loss of Peripheral Vision

Single Most Likely Diagnosis

  • Glaucoma: A leading cause of irreversible blindness, glaucoma often presents with gradual, painless loss of peripheral vision in both eyes due to increased intraocular pressure damaging the optic nerve.

Other Likely Diagnoses

  • Pituitary Tumors: Tumors in the pituitary gland can compress the optic chiasm, leading to bitemporal hemianopia, which may initially be perceived as a loss of peripheral vision.
  • Retinitis Pigmentosa: A group of genetic disorders affecting the retina's ability to respond to light, leading to progressive vision loss, often starting with night blindness and peripheral vision loss.
  • Diabetic Retinopathy: Advanced stages can cause significant vision problems, including loss of peripheral vision, due to damage to the blood vessels in the retina.

Do Not Miss Diagnoses

  • Brain Tumors: Although less common, tumors in specific areas of the brain can cause visual field defects, including loss of peripheral vision. Early detection is crucial for treatment and prognosis.
  • Stroke or Cerebrovascular Accidents: Visual field defects, including loss of peripheral vision, can occur due to ischemia or hemorrhage in areas of the brain responsible for vision processing.
  • Multiple Sclerosis: An autoimmune disease that can affect any part of the central nervous system, including the optic nerves, leading to a variety of visual disturbances, including loss of peripheral vision.

Rare Diagnoses

  • Choroideremia: A rare inherited disorder that causes progressive loss of the choroid, retina, and retinal pigment epithelium, leading to night blindness and loss of peripheral vision.
  • Bassen-Kornzweig Syndrome (Abetalipoproteinemia): A rare inherited disorder affecting fat absorption and leading to vitamin deficiencies, which can cause retinal degeneration and loss of peripheral vision.
  • Neurosyphilis: A complication of late or tertiary syphilis infection, which can cause a variety of neurological problems, including visual disturbances such as loss of peripheral vision.

Professional Medical Disclaimer

This information is intended for healthcare professionals. Any medical decision-making should rely on clinical judgment and independently verified information. The content provided herein does not replace professional discretion and should be considered supplementary to established clinical guidelines. Healthcare providers should verify all information against primary literature and current practice standards before application in patient care. Dr.Oracle assumes no liability for clinical decisions based on this content.

Have a follow-up question?

Our Medical A.I. is used by practicing medical doctors at top research institutions around the world. Ask any follow up question and get world-class guideline-backed answers instantly.