Which condition is often characterized by peripheral field defects?

Peripheral field defects are primarily associated with retinitis pigmentosa, a hereditary retinal dystrophy. This condition causes progressive degeneration of photoreceptors, particularly the rods which are responsible for peripheral and night vision. As the disease progresses, individuals typically experience a narrowing of their visual field, leading to significant peripheral vision loss, which can resemble a "tunnel vision" effect.

In contrast, while glaucoma can also lead to peripheral vision loss, especially in its later stages, the defects are usually due to optic nerve damage rather than a primary retina problem. Macular degeneration primarily affects the central vision and does not typically cause peripheral field defects. Cataracts lead to clouding of the lens, affecting vision clarity but not typically causing peripheral field defects. Thus, retinitis pigmentosa is best known for its characteristic peripheral vision loss, making it the correct choice.