To date, there are a considerable number of eye diseases. There are various conjunctivitis, blepharitis, etc. But scotoma is considered one of the most serious ailments. Because of it, it is difficult for a person to perceive the surrounding world in all its splendor. All sorts of defects arise in the patient’s field of vision. This is one of the manifestations of scotoma.
Definition
What is scotoma? Its main definition is as follows: this is a specific area in which vision is impaired or completely absent. A slightly different variation of the term: the patient has no field of vision at all or is present in a partial form.
In general, the question of what is scotoma, we can answer that this is a disease characterized by impaired image perception. The patient, looking at the image, sees it partially. The complete picture prevents him from seeing the emerging spot. And the visibility around him is not impaired.
Causes
When a person becomes ill with this disease, his vision is called "scotoma vision." The causes of the disease mass. Most often this happens due to pathologies of the optic nerve. In humans, a partial perception of light disappears. This is a sign of impaired functions of the components of the eye responsible for this perception. They are called chopsticks and cones. Also, their absence can lead to scotoma. Spots of various shapes may appear, colors may be distorted. A person sees with opacities or does not see at all.
The general list of reasons is as follows:
- Cataract. This is a disease in which the lens atrophies and becomes cloudy.
- Injuries to the eyes, skull, and brain.
- Too high parameters of intraocular pressure - glaucoma.
- Retinal inflammation. Often this is a manifestation of retinitis.
- Neuralgic defects.
- Dystrophy of the visual apparatus.
- Changing the shape of the retina.
Classification principles
The first principle is character. By this criterion, scotoma is relative and absolute. In the first option, partial damage to the optic nerves is noted. In the spot zone, a person sees blurry images. In the second option, the affected area is a white spot. Through him, the patient does not see anything at all.
The second principle is localization. The disease can be central and atrial. At the first view, the patient does not see the middle of the image. In the second - he sees a trembling contour. Moreover, perception itself is healthy.
The third principle is the intensity of manifestation. There is a positive and negative variation. If positive, the symptoms of the disease appear stronger. It’s easier for doctors to make a diagnosis. In the second case, diagnosing an ailment is much more difficult, because it does not appear in any way. It can only be recognized at random.
The fourth is the shape of the spot. Its geometry is different. Forms can be round, oval, arc and ring.
Fifth - Bierrum syndrome. Appears least often. The patient sees parts of the picture. But they disappear in an arcuate manner and assimilate with a spot. It is also the primary sign of glaucoma. Dropouts occur with increased pressure inside the eyes. When it is lowered, they completely disappear.
Types of disease
Types of scotomas are interconnected with the principles of its classification. The following types of this disease are distinguished:
- Physiological. All healthy people have the so-called “blind spot”. It can only be detected through certain exercises. A section of the visual field disappears from the temporal part. In relation to the fixation point, the loss is about 15 degrees. Its approximate parameters: 6 degrees of the arc. This site is identical to the disc projection of the optic nerve. There are no photoreceptors.
- Pathological. It occurs due to some diseases. In this category are:
A) A blind spot that changed shape due to pathologies.
B) Positive forms of scotoma.
C) Its negative forms.
D) Its ciliated species.
Symptoms
Ocular scotoma can be recognized by its symptoms:
- Spots appear on the peripheral or central side of the eye.
- Flies or black dots appear in the field of vision.
- The image is cloudy.
- Pain appears in the eyes.
- When viewing the image, a spot is visible. And it is paler than the whole picture.
Ciliary pathology
What is a scotoma of this type? This is a form of the disease resulting from neurological defects. Her other name is ocular migraine. Its manifestations are characterized by seizures. Distortion of a specific image area and visual aura is noted.
Neurological problems can occur for the following reasons:
- Systematic lack of sleep
- Overwork.
- Oxygen deficiency in the body.
- Mood swings, stress.
- Quick change of climatic conditions and time zone.
- Psychical deviations.
- Constant nervousness.
- Hormonal disorders.
- Side effects of certain drugs.
- Chaotic food.
- Alcohol, nicotine and drugs.
- Long stay in the room where the lighting flickers. For example, on the dance floor with light music.
The specifics of this form of the disease
Flickering scotoma is determined by its own characteristics. Their list is as follows:
- Images are distorted in two eyes at once.
- The development of spot syndrome is gradual. First, the patient sees a very small spot. Then its parameters grow.
- The shades of the spot are colored or white.
- Attacks for 15-30 minutes. The patient sees a stain in these minutes. After an attack, his body weakens, migraines appear. In rare cases, a person is sick.
- The patient often sees flickering zigzags, even if he closes his eyes.
Central form
What is a scotoma of this form? This is a pathology, manifested in the form of a black spot, which hangs right in front of the eye. This form of the disease occurs due to:
- Retinal lesions in the most important area.
- Optic nerve problems.
As a result, the patient's visual acuity is seriously reduced.
Central scotoma often occurs with such diseases and injuries:
- Toxic injuries of the optic nerves.
- Macupodystrophy.
- Maculopathy in diabetes.
- Outflow of blood into the macula.
- Chorioretitis with a central focus of inflammation.
- The holey action of the retina of the macular site.
There is also a metamorphoma. What it is? Scotoma eyes are of the central type. It manifests itself in the form of a limited zone. In it, straight lines look like broken or torn. Similar symptoms are associated with a damaged retina and a disturbed position of the photoreceptors. They appear in the back of the eye.
Diagnostics
To effectively treat scotoma, you need to accurately identify its source. And then eliminate it. There are the following diagnostic solutions for this:
- Perimetry. Its basis is a test object. The patient watches a spherical figure located on the surface. The doctor analyzes how the patient's field of vision changes. According to these data, the localization of the defect is revealed.
- Campimetry. The work goes on the same principle. Only the object is located on an absolutely flat surface. About the intensity of the disease speak data testing color vision.
- Methods that determine certain ailments are potential scotoma culprits.It:
A) Ophthalmoscopy.
B) Calculation of pressure inside the eyes.
C) An examination of the eyeball using ultrasound.
D) Study of the brain using CT.
Treatment
The goal of therapeutic action is precisely the elimination of the cause of the disease. In most cases, defects disappear and vision is restored. In the most difficult situations, surgery is performed. Doctors prescribe medications to fix a specific problem. For example, if you need to relieve vasospasm, spasmolytics are prescribed. All required measures are prescribed by a doctor. No self-medication is allowed.
Treatment of scotoma takes into account the causes of its appearance and forms. The following drugs are often prescribed:
- Sedative type, such as Novopassit, Valerian, etc. They help in the fight against atrial scotoma. Doctors also prescribe drugs to improve blood circulation, such as Piracetam.
- Neutralizing pain cramps, such as Dibazol, Libraks, No-Shpa, etc.
In severe cases, surgical work is performed. For example, laser correction is often performed.
Also, the patient must follow a special diet. It is strictly forbidden to him:
- Alcoholic drinks.
- Smoking.
- Drug use.
- Foods high in fat.
- Fried food.
- Spicy, salty and smoked food.
In order to prevent the appearance of scotomas, you must adhere to a healthy lifestyle, exercise and get enough sleep.