Homonymous hemianopsia

Hemianopsia

Introduction

Hemianopsia, also known as hemianopia, is a loss of vision in half of the visual field of one or both eyes. The condition is typically classified by the affected side of the visual field and whether it affects one or both eyes. Homonymous hemianopsia is a common form where the same side of the visual field is lost in both eyes, indicating damage to the brain's visual pathways rather than the eyes themselves.

Diagram showing the brain's visual pathways and how damage can lead to hemianopsia.

Types

There are several types of hemianopsia, each with unique characteristics:

• Homonymous hemianopsia: Loss of the same side of the visual field in both eyes.
• Bitemporal hemianopsia: Loss of the outer (temporal) fields of both eyes.
• Binasal hemianopsia: Loss of the inner (nasal) fields of both eyes.

Causes

Hemianopsia is most often caused by brain damage rather than issues within the eyes. Common causes include:

• Stroke
• Brain tumors
• Traumatic brain injury
• Neurological disorders

Symptoms

The primary symptom of hemianopsia is the inability to see objects in one half of the visual field. This can lead to difficulties with navigation, reading, and recognizing faces. Patients may also experience:

• Bumping into objects on the affected side
• Difficulty driving
• Increased clumsiness

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of hemianopsia involves a thorough eye examination and imaging studies of the brain, such as MRI or CT scans, to identify the underlying cause of the visual field loss.

Visual field test used to diagnose hemianopsia.

Treatment

While there is no cure for hemianopsia, treatment focuses on managing symptoms and improving quality of life. Options may include:

• Visual rehabilitation therapy
• Prism glasses to expand the visual field
• Training to increase awareness of the affected visual field

Implications for Daily Life

Individuals with hemianopsia may need to make adjustments in their daily life to accommodate their visual field loss. This can include using assistive devices, modifying the home environment for safety, and adopting strategies to improve navigation and reading skills.

See Also

• Visual field
• Stroke
• Visual pathway

References

• "Visual Field Defects." American Academy of Ophthalmology.
• "Homonymous Hemianopsia—Pathways and Management." Journal of Neuro-Ophthalmology.

External Links

• American Academy of Ophthalmology
• National Eye Institute.

Homonymous hemianopsia Resources
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