scotoma

disease

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Last updated

July 13, 2026

Quick Summary

A scotoma is a spot within the visual field where vision is absent or deficient. These blind spots, also known as visual field defects, can be persistent or temporary. While the visual fields of both eyes overlap, specific testing is needed to detect these defects.12

Numerous conditions can cause scotomas, including glaucoma, vascular diseases, tumors, retinal diseases, inflammatory processes, and even certain drugs or toxins. The pattern of vision loss can help pinpoint the underlying cause, with defects in one eye suggesting a localized issue, while defects affecting both eyes often indicate a problem further back in the brain or at the optic chiasm.2

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visual field defect
…defect, a blind spot (scotoma) or blind area within the normal field of one or both eyes. In most cases the blind spots or areas are persistent, but in some instances they may be temporary and shifting, as in the scotomata of migraine headache. The visual fields of the…
Read More
…defect, a blind spot (scotoma) or blind area within the normal field of one or both eyes. In most cases the blind spots or areas are persistent, but in some instances they may be temporary and shifting, as in the scotomata of migraine headache. The visual fields of the…
Read More