From the Guidelines
Tunnel vision is primarily caused by conditions that affect peripheral vision while preserving central vision, with common causes including glaucoma, retinitis pigmentosa, stroke or brain injury, and retinal detachment, as well as other factors such as extreme fatigue, hypoxia, and certain medications 1.
Causes of Tunnel Vision
The causes of tunnel vision can be diverse and may involve various ocular and systemic conditions. Some of the key causes include:
- Glaucoma, which damages the optic nerve due to increased eye pressure
- Retinitis pigmentosa, a genetic disorder affecting the retina's light-sensitive cells
- Stroke or brain injury affecting visual pathways
- Severe concussion
- Migraine auras
- Extreme stress or anxiety triggering temporary perceptual changes
- Multiple sclerosis damaging nerve pathways
- Retinal detachment
- Certain medications like some anti-seizure drugs, chloroquine, or hydroxychloroquine
- Advanced diabetic retinopathy Other factors that may contribute to tunnel vision include:
- Extreme fatigue
- Hypoxia (oxygen deprivation)
- Carbon monoxide poisoning
- High altitude exposure It is essential to seek immediate medical attention if experiencing tunnel vision, as it may indicate serious underlying conditions requiring prompt treatment. Early diagnosis is crucial for conditions like glaucoma, where medications such as prostaglandin analogs (latanoprost), beta-blockers (timolol), or carbonic anhydrase inhibitors can help manage eye pressure and prevent further vision loss 1. Regular eye examinations are vital for early detection of many of these conditions.
Importance of Early Diagnosis
Early diagnosis and treatment of the underlying causes of tunnel vision can significantly impact morbidity, mortality, and quality of life. For instance, prompt treatment of glaucoma can prevent further vision loss and reduce the risk of blindness 1. Similarly, early detection and management of retinal detachment can improve visual outcomes and reduce the risk of complications 1.
Conclusion is not allowed, so the answer just ends here.
From the Research
Causes of Tunnel Vision
- Tunnel vision can be caused by various forms of glaucoma, including primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) and normotensive glaucoma (NTG), which are characterized by extensive death of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) and damage to the optic nerve 2
- Risk factors associated with POAG include elevated intraocular pressure (IOP), low cerebrospinal and/or low intracranial fluid pressure, advancing age, and ethnicity 2
- Retinal vascular abnormalities and a high sensitivity of RGCs and optic nerve head components to neurotoxic, inflammatory, oxidative, and mechanical insults also contribute to vision loss in POAG/GON 2
- Other conditions that can cause sudden vision loss, including tunnel vision, are acute angle-closure glaucoma, retinal detachment, retinal artery occlusion, giant cell arteritis, and optic neuritis 3
- Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) is a set of symptoms that includes tunnel vision, night blindness, and progressive vision loss, stemming from a heterogeneous set of causes, including genetic mutations, syndromic, and secondary RP 4
Associated Conditions
- Glaucoma is a group of eye disorders characterized by progressive deterioration of the optic nerve that can lead to vision loss, with POAG being the most common form in the United States 5
- The risk of POAG increases with age, family history of glaucoma, type 2 diabetes mellitus, hypotension, hypothyroidism, obstructive sleep apnea, cardiovascular disease, and myopia 5
- Angle-closure glaucoma can occur acutely with pupillary dilation and is an ophthalmologic emergency, requiring immediate treatment to reduce intraocular pressure quickly with medications or surgery 5