Ever experience the feeling that you're looking through a narrow tube? Your central vision is fine, but everything to the side is blurry and dim? These symptoms mean you are probably experiencing tunnel vision. When you experience tunnel vision, you're actually experiencing peripheral vision problems. This condition often makes it difficult to see in dim light and also makes it more difficult to navigate while walking.

What causes tunnel vision?

There are several possible causes to losing function in your peripheral vision. Some causes include:

​​​​​​​- Glaucoma
- Eye strokes
- Detached retina
- Brain damage from stroke, disease or injury
- Neurological damage
- Concussion or head injury
- Loss of large amounts of blood
- Extreme migraines

​​​​​​​If you feel that you've lost peripheral vision, you should visit your eye doctor immediately for a comprehensive eye exam.

How do you treat tunnel vision?

Tunnel vision is a very serious condition. Once lost, peripheral vision is often difficult to recover. Tunnel vision, or the loss of peripheral vision, cannot be treated with conventional eyeglasses or contact lenses. However, there is a certain lens, known as a prism lens, that can sometimes be added to eyeglasses to expand the field of vision for certain people.

Vision therapy is also an option for those suffering from peripheral vision loss. Specific techniques in vision therapy have been shown to regain a certain percentage of peripheral vision. If you are in the beginning stages of peripheral vision loss, there are exercises created by sports vision specialists to help train your eyes. These training exercises may help to improve sight in the periphery.

If you are suffering from tunnel vision, you should ask your optometrist about seeing a low vision specialist. These specialists can recommend special eyewear or devices that can assist you. As always, you should consult your local optometrist or ophthalmologist if you notice any kind of change in your vision or eye health.