Tunnel vision
Normal vision. Courtesy NIH National Eye Institute
The same view with tunnel vision from retinitis pigmentosa.
Tunnel vision is a visual problem or symptom of another problem which produces loss of peripheral vision, as illustrated.
Tunnel vision can be caused by:
- retinitis pigmentosa, a disease of the eye.
- sustained (1 second or more) high accelerations, resulting in peripheral light loss.[1]. Can occur in fighter pilots during combat or testing situations. More severe symptoms can include loss of consciousness.
- hallucinogenic drugs.
- glaucoma, a disease of the eye.
- altitude sickness, hypoxia in passenger aircraft[1]
- exposure to oxygen at a partial pressure above 1.5-2 atmospheres, producing central nervous system oxygen toxicity, notably while diving.[1] Other symptoms can include dizziness, nausea, blindness, fatigue, anxiety, confusion and lack of coordination.
- other loss of blood to the brain.
- prolonged exposure to air contaminated with heated hydraulic fluids and oils, as can sometimes happen in passenger aircraft[1].
