Peripheral Vision Loss

In June of 2006 I was in a motorcycle accident.  My right leg and arm suffered severe damage, but after extensive PT, I am now able to use them both with little incident.  In March of 2007 I had to have my drivers license renewed, and when they gave me the eye test I failed the peripheral vision portion of it, restricting my license (if ever pulled over with no side mirrors, I could be arrested).  I would never drive without the mirrors, so that is not the issue.  

Lately, I have noticed that people/things can be right next to me and I cannot see them unless I turn my head towards them.  I find that it sometimes scares me when I turn slightly to the right or left and BOOM someone is standing right there.  

I had Lasic Eye Surgery in 2002 so I went to them to see if maybe I needed an adjustment on the surgery but they said there is nothing that can be done about peripheral vision.

I have suffered migranes (migraines) for 20 years; I do not have them frequently, maybe three to five a year is all, my questions are:

1.  Can anything be done about peripheral vision loss?
2.  What type of a doctor should I see?
3.  Could slight head trauma have changed my vision?  (I was fine before my accident but did hit the ground pretty darn hard, but leg and arm were much worse and I did not have any pain, etc. to my head).

Thank you for any assistance you can provide.  I know I need to do something, as I managed to get a black eye the other day by litterally "side stepping" into an open cabinet.

Thanks for your input/expertise...greatly appreciate any advice.

B

[Flavius G Pernoud III, MD]

You need to track down the cause of your apparent permanent field loss. If it is in both eyes it is coming from your brain. If in one eye, you have damage to the retina or optic nerve on that side. Migraines don't cause permanent loss. You need formal visual fields and a comprehensive eye exam by an ophthalmologist Eye MD. You can find one in your area at www.aao.org.