Even though most people use their eyes every day, many are not aware that there is a natural blind spot within their field of vision. Also known as a physiological blind spot, this area contains no light-detecting cells on the optic disc. No vision is detected, leaving that area invisible to us.
Why Don’t I See My Blind Spot?
Nature compensates for the blind spot by overlapping each eye’s field of vision. The brain gathers information from the opposite eye and combines it with spatial information to fill in the missing area.
The blind spot is positioned at approximately 12 to 15 degrees temporally and 1.5 degrees below the horizon. It measures around 7.5 degrees high and 5.5 degrees wide. It is found at the top of the optic nerve.
How to Find Your Blind Spot
There are steps you can take to locate your blind spot:
- Draw an X on the left side of a piece of paper
- Measure 5.5 inches horizontally from the X and draw an O
- Place your hand over your right eye
- Using your left eye only, look at the O. When doing so, the X should suddenly disappear. If it does not, try moving the paper until it does.
You should be positioned 1.5 feet from the paper for this experiment to work.
Are All Blind Spots Normal?
While everyone has a natural blind spot, not all blind spots are normal. If you notice an abnormal blind spot or other vision problems, contact Eye Michigan immediately to schedule an eye exam or go to your nearest emergency room.