An scotoma is a defect in the field of view that does not reach its boundaries. All physiological scotomas are presented in the form of a blind spot.
A blind spot is a small area of the field of view in which the perception of light is completely absent;completely corresponds to the projection of the disk of the entire optic nerve, which does not have visual receptors.
With binocular vision, physiological scotomas are not subjectively perceived, because the fields of vision of the left and right eyes partially overlap.
This process is promoted by involuntary constant micromotion of eyeballs.
- 1. Causes of scotoma
- 2. Symptoms of
- 3. Diseases in which this symptom occurs
- 4. Diagnosis
- 5. Treatment of
- 6. Prevention of
- 7. Forecast of
These movements, as well as the location in thethe paracentral parts( divisions) of the field of view of the blind spot physiological scotoma are often not felt even with monocular vision.
The causes of scotoma
The reasons for the appearance of scotoma can be very diverse.
Most often these are various chronic eye diseases, for example such as:
- cataract,
- eye injury, visual organs or optic nerve,
- glaucoma,
- retinitis,
- retinal deformation,
- dystrophic processes.
Almost always at the beginning of the disease scotoma is not felt at all, and its presence is revealed only after a special examination.
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Patients with the presence of a disease characterize it as a small spot or a slight shadow in the field of view and at first do not attach any importance to this circumstance. In their form scotomas can be very diverse: round, oval, in the form of an arc or having irregular contours.
Such scotomes can be located in different places. Of all the types of this disease distinguish between relative and absolute cattle.
- Relative scotoma is a disease in which vision is partially retained in the affected area.
- Absolute scotoma is a disease in which the visual function is completely absent in the affected area.
Often also identify color scotoma. The most characteristic symptom in this case is that patients are not able to see and distinguish certain colors.
Symptoms of
Most often, the symptoms of this disease are associated with impairment and perception of visual function.
The main symptoms are the following:
- appearance in the eye of spots that interfere with perceiving objects fully;
- possible periodic darkening in the eyes( or in one eye);
- may cause blurred vision.
Diseases in which this symptom of
occurs. The scotoma appears in the case of diseases of the optic nerve and retinal membranes( glaucoma, pigmentary degeneration of the retina or atrophy of the optic nerves).Such a disease as scotoma specialists is determined exclusively by perimeter and campimetry methods.
Diagnosis
As indicated above, detect and measure cattle with perimetry( the test object that is presented to the patient lies on a spherical surface), as well as campimetry( the test object lies on the plane).
Scots that are examined with the aid of campimeters are applied strictly to scotometric special schemes. Its intensity is usually determined by the study of color vision.
Diagnosis of possible changes in the fields of vision is to measure them and to identify the possible cause of this state. Earlier, various labor-consuming methods, which took quite a long time, were used.
In the modern world, such a process is completely automated due to the use of various computer technologies directly in ophthalmology, which is why this procedure takes a little time - just a few minutes.
Ophthalmologists accurately assess the nature of central vision. In addition to all the listed methods of research, specialists are recommended mainly those that are aimed exclusively at diagnosing the causes of such a condition.
These include the following:
- CT scan of the brain,
- examination of the fundus( ophthalmoscopy),
- measurement of intraocular pressure,
- , ultrasound examination of the eyeball,
- monitoring of blood pressure.
In addition to this, it may be necessary to consult a neurologist to completely exclude the central mechanisms for the onset of such a pathological condition.
Treatment of
The main treatment is completely aimed at eliminating the main cause, causing the loss of areas from the field of vision. In the case of retinal detachment, urgent surgical intervention is necessary, and if any tumor is detected, their removal is required.
Usually scintillating scotomas that have arisen from spasm of cerebral vessels are treated with spasmolytic drugs.
In case of the slightest suspicion of this pathology, you should immediately seek help from an ophthalmologist.
Retinal detachment is the reason for the operation. Treat retinal gaps usually with a laser. In cases where the cause of this violation of the visual field is the compression of the entire optic nerve by the brain tumor, then the treatment of such visual field disturbances is already becoming secondary: the most important is the elimination of the tumor.
Most of the violations of the field of view are minor, and it is difficult enough to notice them yourself. But with the slightest suspicion of narrowing the field of vision, or in the case of the appearance of cattle, it is required to consult an oculist.
An experienced optometrist will carry out the necessary studies( for example, perimetry is a field of vision study).Most often the doctor asks to see the patient on his nose and is wondering if the patient sees movement near his finger.
It should also be noted that it is impossible to get rid of scotoma on its own, because the nature of its appearance has not been established. By getting rid of the underlying disease, the scotoma will pass by itself.
Prevention
The main prevention of any visual field disturbances is as follows:
- constant monitoring of blood pressure level;
- normalization of the patient's psycho-emotional state;
- observance of hygiene of the visual organs,
- , it is recommended that the oculist be urgently consulted for any ophthalmic abnormalities.
It should be noted that any changes in the visual fields are a consequence of some pathological process. But in case of detection it is necessary to undergo a number of examination methods, appointed by an ophthalmologist.
In rare cases, assistance should involve related professionals, for example, in the presence of disorders and neuropsychic diseases.
When the field of vision is changed, the treatment should completely depend on the nature of the main pathological process.
Forecast
In scotoma, the prognosis depends mainly on the full diagnosis and on the provision of medical qualified medical care. Therefore, it is extremely important to consult an experienced doctor in case of suspicious symptoms.
During the selection of the eye clinic, it is worth paying attention to the qualifications of doctors and the overall level of equipping the healthcare institution, because it is the doctors' experience that allows to achieve the best results in the complex treatment of various eye diseases, including scotoma.