Influence of vasospasm on visual function.

In a number of patients with etiologically unexplained visual field loss, a vasospastic syndrome could be found with the help of a capillaroscopic local cooling test on the fingers. In the patients with proven vasospastic syndrome, the visual field defects were increased after a cold water test and decreased after a therapy with calcium entry blockers. General aspects of the physiology and pathophysiology of the circulation and especially of the circulation in the eye are presented.