Which visual field defect is associated with retinal detachment?

The association of retinal detachment with a relative scotoma is grounded in the way that the condition typically affects retinal function. When a retina detaches, it can lead to areas of the visual field where the patient exhibits reduced sensitivity to light and vision, rather than a complete absence of vision. This diminished vision is classified as a relative scotoma because it is not entirely lost but rather impaired.

In cases of retinal detachment, patients might retain some vision or perception in areas surrounding the affected retina, manifesting as a patchy or incomplete vision loss. The specific visual field defect may depend on the location of the detachment and which part of the retina has been affected. Hence, the presence of a relative scotoma can indicate the functional status of the retina and guide clinicians in diagnosis and management.

Complete scotomas denote absolute loss of vision in a region, which is less common immediately with retinal detachment unless the detachment is extensive. Bitemporal hemianopia, typically associated with chiasmal lesions, and monocular vision loss generally indicate more systemic or different localized pathologies rather than those directly related to retinal detachment. Therefore, relative scotoma accurately describes the partial visual field loss frequently encountered in retinal detachment