Visual Field Defects Secondary to a Cerebrovascular Accident.

Background: Visual field defects occur frequently with acquired brain injury (ABI). Complex visual-motor and sensory-motor processes are affected in visual field defects, often resulting in significant impact to overall function, demeanor, and quality of life. Neuro-optometric rehabilitation, which...

Descripción completa

Detalles Bibliográficos
Publicado en:Optometry & Visual Performance Vol. 3; no. 6; pp. 462 - 475
Autor principal: Larson, Briana
Formato: case study tables/charts Journal Article
Publicado: Optometric Extension Program Dec2015
Acceso en línea:Ver este registro en EBSCOhost
Descripción
Sumario:Background: Visual field defects occur frequently with acquired brain injury (ABI). Complex visual-motor and sensory-motor processes are affected in visual field defects, often resulting in significant impact to overall function, demeanor, and quality of life. Neuro-optometric rehabilitation, which may include lenses, visual rehabilitation therapy, and referrals to other professionals, can result in improvement in overall function, demeanor, and quality of life for individuals suffering from visual field defects secondary to ABI. Case Summary: A 74-year-old Caucasian female presented 1 month following a cerebrovascular accident of the right side with concern about left visual field loss. Symptomatology included that her “eyes do not seem to focus together,” blurry vision especially in left field, re-reading lines or words while reading, poor depth perception, loss of balance, disorientation, and difficulty with peripheral vision. The evaluation revealed the diagnosis of a superior left field quadrantanopia OD, left hemianopia OS, intermittent alternating exotropia of convergence insufficiency type, and oculomotor deficits of saccades and pursuits. Neuro-optometric rehabilitation, consisting of an active vision rehabilitative therapy program of in-office sessions and prescribed home activities, was prescribed. The vision rehabilitative therapy program encompassed compensatory oculomotor scanning, sensory-motor integration, and development of deficient binocular and oculomotor skills. In addition, the program also included the development of improved visual processing skills in the areas of visual spatial relations, visual memory, and processing speed (including span and tachistoscopic recognition). The outcome of this case yielded successful overall achievement of the patient’s and doctor’s goals, as well as significantly improved symptomatology and enhanced quality of life. Conclusion: Appropriately prescribed neuro-optometric rehabilitation yields successful outcomes on quality of life post ABI with visual field defects. Diagnostic scrutiny of visual field defect-related conditions, such as visual midline shift, unilateral spatial inattention (USI), and focal-ambient integrative processing dysfunction, is important to optimize treatment plans. In addition, consoled phasic induction of applicable prismatic lenses maximizes prism acceptance and improves the outcome of neuro-optometric rehabilitation.