What is Scotoma

Scotoma is an area of your vision where you cannot see as well or cannot see at all.

This is sometimes called a blind spot. It may look like a dark or gray area where you cannot see anything, and be surrounded by a ring or an area of blurry vision.

There are two types of scotoma:

• Central scotoma. This is when you have a blind spot in the middle of your vision.
• Peripheral scotoma. This is when you have a blind spot at the edge of your vision.

There are many possible causes of scotoma. You may need to see a doctor who specializes in eye conditions (ophthalmologist) to find the cause.

Follow these instructions at home:

Pay attention to any changes in your symptoms. Tell your health care provider about them or any new symptoms.

• Do not drive or use heavy machinery unless your doctor says that you can.
• Work with a vision therapist as told by your doctor.
• When you are reading or doing other activities that use small objects or involve small text, use good lighting, large print, and magnifying devices.
• Do not use any products that contain nicotine or tobacco, such as cigarettes and e-cigarettes. If you need help quitting, ask your doctor.
• Take over-the-counter and prescription medicines only as told by your doctor.
• Keep all follow-up visits as told by your doctor. This is important.

Contact a doctor if you:

• Have changes in your condition.
• Do not get better.
• Have eye pain.

Get help right away if you have:

• Sudden loss of vision.
• Any signs of a stroke. “BE FAST” is an easy way to remember the main warning signs:
  • B – Balance. Signs are dizziness, sudden trouble walking, or loss of balance.
  • E – Eyes. Signs are trouble seeing or a sudden change in how you see.
  • F – Face. Signs are sudden weakness or loss of feeling of the face, or the face or eyelid drooping on one side.
  • A – Arms. Signs are weakness or loss of feeling in an arm. This happens suddenly and usually on one side of the body.
  • S – Speech. Signs are sudden trouble speaking, slurred speech, or trouble understanding what people say.
  • T – Time. Time to call emergency services. Write down what time symptoms started.
• Other signs of a stroke, such as:
  • A sudden, very bad headache.
  • Feeling sick to your stomach (nausea).
  • Throwing up (vomiting).
  • Jerky movements you cannot control (seizure).

These symptoms may be an emergency. Do not wait to see if the symptoms will go away. Get medical help right away. Call your local emergency services (911 in the U.S.). Do not drive yourself to the hospital.

Summary

• Scotoma is an area of your vision where you cannot see as well or cannot see at all. This is sometimes called a blind spot.
• When you are reading or doing other activities that use small objects or involve small text, try to use good lighting, large print, and magnifying devices.
• Keep all follow-up visits as told by your doctor. This is important.