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Scotoma

Scotoma – an Area of Visual Impairment

A common type of vision loss after stroke or traumatic brain injury, a scotoma is an island of visual field loss (blindness) or impaired vision surrounded by relatively normal vision. The eyes of mammals naturally have a small scotoma (blind spot) that we normally don’t notice. However, a wide range of diseases and injuries can cause a pathological scotoma. For example, a scotoma can be a sign of optic nerve damage sustained during a stroke or brain injury. Previously considered untreatable, new research has led to exciting developments in treating scotoma.

Types of Scotoma

After a stroke or brain injury, a scotoma may occur in any shape or size, and it may affect any portion of the visual field. In some cases, a scotoma will include and enlarge the blind spot occurring naturally in a person’s eye. The main types of scotomas include:

  • Central scotoma: an area of decreased or lost vision that interferes with central vision (likely to affect daily life)
  • Hemianopic scotoma: an area of decreased or lost vision that affects half of the central visual field
  • Peripheral scotoma: an area of decreased or lost vision toward the edge of the visual field (less likely to affect daily life)
  • Pareacentral scotoma: An area of decreased or lost vision near, but not in the central vision.

Symptoms of Scotoma (Visual Field Loss)

The main symptom of scotoma is one or more dark, light, or blurred areas in the field of vision. Those affected by visual field loss may also experience a need for greater illumination and contrast when reading, and may have difficulty perceiving certain colors.


Scotoma’s Impact on Daily Life

When visual field loss is small and not located in the center of the field of vision, it does not generally cause problems in a person’s daily life. However, areas of vision loss after stroke or brain injury are sometimes large and numerous, impacting central vision; in this case a person’s daily life can be drastically affected. For instance, a person’s mobility may be compromised, as well as their ability to read, watch TV, and perform other everyday activities.


Treating Visual Field Loss

Vision loss post stroke or brain injury, which may include scotoma, hemianopia/quadrantanopia, and diffuse field defect, can drastically impact a person’s quality of life. In the past, these vision defects were considered untreatable. However, cutting-edge research into neuroplasticity, the brain’s ability to grow and heal throughout adulthood, has led to effective methods of vision rehabilitation.


Developed by NovaVision®, one such method of vision rehab, called Vision Restoration Therapy, works by stimulating the brain in precise, consistent ways. Studies show that over 70 percent of patients who complete Vision Restoration Therapy experience significant improvements in their vision, which improves their quality of life.1 Today, the therapy is available by prescription from prescribing doctor.

1 Romano JG, et al, Visual field changes after a rehabilitation intervention: Visionrestoration therapy, J Neurol Sci (2008), doi:10.1016/j.jns.2008.06.026 (NovaVision sponsored study)

Learn More about Vision Loss Post Stroke or Brain Injury

To learn more about scotoma, other types of visual field loss, and how you can get treatment for vision loss post stroke or brain injury, please contact NovaVision by email or call us toll-free at 1.888.205.0800. If you think Vision Restoration Therapy may benefit you, contact NovaVision for more information.