Overview
Glaucoma takes side vision slowly; strokes can take half the vision in both eyes suddenly.
Symptoms
Common signs:
- Missing part of vision
- Losing side (peripheral) vision
Less common
- Bumping into things
When to get medical care
Call 911Sudden face drooping, arm weakness, trouble speaking, or vision loss: call 911.
Get care todayNew or worse symptoms, or symptoms with fever.
See a doctor soonSymptoms that last or keep coming back.
Causes
Brain or eye problems.
Does it spread or run in families?
- It isn't contagious. You can't catch it from someone else.
Diagnosis
A clinician asks about your symptoms and may order tests.
The exam
A physical exam.
Tests
Tests, if needed:
- Visual field test:
Treatment
Treatment depends on the cause and how severe it is.
Self-care
- Turn your head to scan
- Use scanning techniques
Prevention
To lower your risk or prevent problems:
- Regular eye exams
- Control blood pressure
Which doctor treats this
- Start with your primary care provider (family doctor or internist).
- They may send you to an ophthalmologist (eye doctor and surgeon) or an optometrist.
Children, pregnancy, and older adults
- Drivers: Field loss can affect driving.
- Stroke survivors: Higher risk.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
- If you're pregnant or planning to be, tell your prenatal provider about this condition.
- Don't start or stop any medicine on your own. Some are safe in pregnancy and some need to be changed.
- Ask before taking any pain reliever. The FDA advises avoiding ibuprofen and naproxen after 20 weeks unless your doctor says to.
- Breastfeeding: Most medicines are fine, but ask. The NIH LactMed database lists what's known about each one.
Outlook
Rehab helps people adapt.
Getting ready for your visit
Bring a list of your symptoms and medicines.
What to bring
- A list of your medicines and supplements
- Notes on when symptoms started and what makes them better or worse
Questions to ask
- What's causing this?
- What treatment do you recommend?
Research studies
Research studies test new ways to find and treat health problems. Some are looking for volunteers. Talk with your doctor before joining one.
Search ClinicalTrials.gov for studies on Visual field loss (missing parts of vision)
Sources
Last updated 2026-11-12.