Your direct field of vision should be clear when looking straight ahead without moving your head. Peripheral vision problems, such as blurry peripheral vision, mean that you don't have a normal, wide-angle field of vision, even though your central vision may be fine. If you are experiencing blurry peripheral vision, there are a few eye conditions that could be causing it, including optic neuritis, glaucoma and retinal detachment.
Signs of blurry peripheral vision
Peripheral vision allows you to see surrounding objects without moving your head or eyes. It is particularly important for seeing at night and for low-light vision. Left untreated, blurry peripheral vision can lead to tunnel vision — the sensation of seeing through a narrow tube — and even vision loss. Some common signs of blurry peripheral vision include:
Tripping over obstacles more frequently while walking
Difficulty performing usual tasks in low-light situations
Difficulty driving at night
Causes of blurry peripheral vision
Until blurry peripheral vision affects your daily life, you might not notice it. With conditions like optic neuritis and glaucoma, the loss of peripheral vision can be sudden or more gradual, depending on the person. Sudden peripheral vision blurriness may also be the result of a detached retina, which is a medical emergency that must be treated immediately.
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