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If you have sudden eye pain, blurred vision, or eye floaters, you may wonder how serious it is and how fast you should act. This
December 18, 2025 No Comments
Dr. Namita C Anagol (MBBS, DO, DNB) is a highly experienced Ophthalmologist/Eye Surgeon with 31 years of practice. She specializes in the management of conditions such as Glaucoma, performing Cataract Surgery, and treating UVEA and various conditions requiring LASIK Eye Surgery.
A blind spot in eye can feel alarming, especially if it appears suddenly or starts affecting daily tasks like reading or driving. In medical terms, this blind area in your field of view is called a scotoma. It can be temporary or permanent, small or large, and it may appear as a dark, grey, flickering, or blurry patch.
Quick note: everyone has a tiny, normal “physiological” blind spot in retina where the optic nerve exits the eye. The brain usually fills in this gap, so you do not notice it. New or expanding blind areas are different and deserve attention.
Scotoma meaning: a localised area in your visual field where you cannot see clearly or at all, often described as a blind spot in eye.
It may involve the retina, the optic nerve, or, less commonly, the visual pathways in the brain. If you are wondering what is scotoma, it is simply the clinical name for these blind areas, whether they look dark, washed-out, or shimmering. Some are positive scotomas, where you see a spot or pattern, and some are negative scotomas, which you may not notice until tested.
You might see terms like scotoma eye or eye scotoma in articles or clinic notes. They refer to the same problem, a blind area within your vision.
There are several scotoma types. Doctors identify them by where they appear in your field of view, how they look, and what causes them. The pattern of a blind spot in eye helps point to the underlying condition.
A central scotoma sits straight ahead in the middle of your vision. People often describe it as a dark or blurry patch that blocks letters or faces. Central scotomas are commonly linked to macular disease and certain optic nerve problems. You might notice this as a blind spot in eye that makes reading or recognising faces difficult.
A paracentral scotoma lies just off centre, within about 10 degrees of where you fix your gaze. In conditions like glaucoma, it may form arc-shaped or small, round defects that can grow if the disease progresses. Paracentral scotomas can also occur in diabetic eye disease and after eye injuries or retinal problems.
A scintillating scotoma looks jagged or wavy, often shimmering or alternating light and dark. It is often part of migraine aura and usually resolves, although it can be disruptive while it lasts.
A junctional scotoma arises near where the optic nerve meets the optic chiasm. Its pattern can suggest compression by lesions in that area, so it needs prompt examination and appropriate imaging.
Scotoma causes range widely. Common categories include:
In practical terms, think of causes as “eye-based” or “brain-based.” Both can create a blind spot in eye, so a thorough clinical work-up matters.
People describe blind spots in vision in different ways:
Sudden onset of flashes with floaters plus a shadow or curtain can signal a retinal tear or detachment, which is an emergency. Seek care immediately in such cases.
Some readers also ask about a blind spot in eyesight that comes and goes. Transient scotomas commonly relate to migraine aura and usually resolve, but a medical review is still wise if they are new, frequent, or changing.
Your ophthalmologist or optometrist will review your symptoms, medical history and perform an eye examination. Typical scotoma test tools include:
If you suspect a blind spot in eye, these tests help confirm the location and pattern, then guide the next steps.
Scotoma treatment focuses on the cause:
Supportive measures, including low vision rehabilitation, can help in day-to-day life, especially when some vision loss is permanent. Low-vision aids, task lighting, contrast-enhancing strategies, larger print, and orientation training can make a meaningful difference.
A blind spot in eye is a symptom, not a final diagnosis. Because it can stem from many conditions, some urgent, you should book an eye examination if you notice a new or growing blind area, any associated blurred vision, or visual distortions. Sudden flashes, a shower of floaters, or a curtain-like shadow call for emergency care to rule out a retinal tear or detachment. With prompt evaluation, accurate mapping, and cause-directed therapy, many people stabilise or improve their vision, and nearly everyone benefits from practical strategies that keep daily life running smoothly.
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