Visual field loss and its management

The visual field is a space in which multiple objects can be seen simultaneously by our eye that is steadily fixed. Daily activities such as reading, driving and shopping can all require a healthy visual field. When our visual system is functioning correctly, the brain tells us quickly where an object is in space and what it is. Being aware of our physical surroundings is essential.

Visual field loss is caused by traumatic brain injuries, autism, stroke and neurological diseases. Stress or fatigue also cause a person's functional visual field to constrict.

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Visual field loss and its management in Hixson

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How can visual field loss affect your life?

You might frequently bump into objects like door-frames
You might find it difficult to move into crowded areas
You may have unsteady balance in walking
You may have problems finding objects on desks
You may skip lines, repeat words and have trouble navigating a page while reading.
Daily activities such as driving, grocery shopping become difficult.
You may have a hard time judging distance and speed of objects.

If you experience any of these symptoms, after a thorough visual field evaluation, our eye doctor can prescribe a proper treatment and management plan to improve your visual function. To schedule a visual field and functional eye exam in Hixson, please call (423) 710 3965.

What are the different types of visual field defects?

Altitudinal visual field defect refers to loss of visual field in the horizontal half.

Bitemporal visual field defect is the loss of visual field in half of both right and left visual field.

Homonymous hemianopsia is the absence of vision in the same half of each eye's visual field. It is most commonly caused by stroke. It is present in 30% of stroke patients.

Central scotoma is a black spot in your central vision. It is caused by glaucoma and other retinal diseases

What are the different types of visual field defects?

What is visual spatial inattention?

A visual spatial inattention is a deficit of awareness and attention to one side of space. Even though the patient has good vision, half of their visual world no longer matters to them. In most cases, the neglected side is the left. There is a tendency for the patient to bump into things on one side and not pay attention to things on that side. Their mental images are half as well, not due to a problem with vision, but due to a problem with consciousness.

What are the different types of visual field tests?

Electroretinography
Amsler grid: A basic visual field test for central vision
Confrontation visual field test
Automated static perimetry test
Kinetic or functional visual field test
Frequency doubling perimetry

How can magnocellular deficits affect your life?

A magnocellular deficit is a disorder that impairs the ability to learn and read. It leads to difficulties such as reading comprehension and poor reading fluency. When trying to read small letters, patients complain that they move around and blur. Magnocellular deficits cause patients to be uncoordinated and clumsy, and they have trouble balancing.

How are constricted visual fields or visual field defects treated?

Neuro vision rehabilitation

Neuro vision rehabilitation addresses the peripheral system with the help of lenses, prisms and binasal occlusion. Lenses help to stabilize the vestibular ocular systems. Base in or yoked prisms may also be prescribed by our eye doctor. Binasal occlusion covers the nasal visual field to reduce the stress on your visual system. It helps with your gait and balance.

Filters

Filters may be incorporated into your eyeglasses to reduce glare and enhance contrast. Green filter combined with blue help with photosensitivity. Blue filter reduces ocular pain with eye movements. Yellow filter reduces blue light from passing through the lens and helps with computer and fluorescent lighting.

How can prisms help with visual field loss?

Prisms can change the spatial orientation of the patient. It can expand space or constrict space. They are used in vision therapy and/or a full time prescription in glasses. They are prescribed by an eye doctor after a thorough eye exam.

Peli prisms

They are primarily used to locate objects outside the visual field of patients with homonymous hemianopsia. They are placed on the lens of the temporal field defect. You do not actually view through the prisms but if an object is seen peripherally on the field loss side, they are used to detect the object. It is advised to practice walking and use of stairs while wearing the peli prism. They may be fit on the upper visual field first if you are having a hard time adapting to it.

Yoked Prisms

Yoked prisms can cause improvement in posture and gait when it is prescribed correctly. They also enhance the functional visual field. The key to effective treatment with prism lenses is how it's being prescribed.

Peripheral visualization therapy program

In this exercise, you will be asked to scan into the side of the field loss and to remember as many objects there as possible. Then you will be asked to look straight ahead to visualize those objects. After that you will point to the area where you saw the objects. While you are still pointing, you will be asked to turn your head so that you could view the missing field.

Side vision awareness eyeglasses (SVAG)

These glasses have the widest viewing area, which enhances the visual field. If you're out shopping, these glasses can be very helpful. When crossing the street, these glasses can also be helpful because they allow you to see the cars more clearly. Depending on state law, patients with hemianopsia who wear side vision awareness glasses may be able to drive again.

Common Questions

Can visual field loss be prevented in people with a history of TBI?

There are steps that can be taken to help reduce the risk of visual field loss in people with a history of traumatic brain injury (TBI). These may include wearing protective headgear to prevent injury, seeking medical attention promptly if an injury does occur, and managing any underlying health conditions that may increase the risk of TBI.

What resources are available to support people with visual field loss?

There are many resources available to support people with visual field loss and their families. Low vision clinics and rehabilitation programs can provide specialized evaluations and treatment for visual field loss as well as providing local resources, a deeper understanding of how visual field loss impacts the patient, and referrals to other parts of the care team. Assistive technology such as software, lenses, or devices can aid people with visual field loss in accessing information and communicating more effectively. Furthermore neuro optometric rehabilitation including lenses and therapy can help the patient improve their visual function and peripheral vision. Specialized buses and paratransit services are available to assist people with visual field loss in getting around. Moreover, there are financial assistance programs available to help pay for low vision aids and other expenses related to visual field loss. If you or your loved one is experiencing visual field loss, call us to schedule an evaluation today at (423) 710 3965. We are proud to be a leading provider of advanced eye care for patients from Hixson, Chattanooga, Cleveland, and Middle Valley.

Schedule a neuro optometric eye exam today

Visual field loss severely impairs your vision and ability to perform daily tasks. It can be caused by traumatic brain injuries, autism, stroke and neurological diseases. With a functional visual field test, our eye doctors will be able to provide you with the most appropriate treatment and tools to improve your visual function and manage or treat your condition.

Call us today at (423) 710 3965 to schedule a visual field and functional eye exam. Patients with visual field loss and vision deficits visit our clinic from all over Tennessee, and we are proud to be a leading provider of neuro optometric rehabilitation services for patients from Hixson, Chattanooga, Cleveland, and Middle Valley.

Learn More

Binasal Occlusion: Understanding Its Application and Benefits

Binasal occlusion is a technique used in neuro-optometric rehabilitation to reduce strain on the visual system, which can improve your gait and balance.

Vision Problems from Lyme Disease: How lyme disease can affect your vision and what a neuro-optometrist can do to help.

Lyme disease can cause a wide range of visual symptoms such as double vision and loss of vision, neuro-optometric rehabilitation can help to improve vision.

Cerebral Palsy and Vision Issues

Cerebral palsy is not a rare disorder, and it is estimated that about 1 in 323 children in the United States have cerebral palsy.

Vision deficits after TBI

In US, an estimated 1.7 million people sustain a traumatic brain injury each year, of which 52,000 die, 275,000 are hospitalized, and 1.365 million are treated.

Uncontrolled eye movements: how nystagmus can affect your vision and how a neuro-optometrist can help

At our optometry clinic, we specialize in the diagnosis and management of Nystagmus, a condition that causes involuntary eye movements.

Understanding photophobia in mTBI patients

Photophobia or photosensitivity, is one of the more common conditions associated with a traumatic brain injury, experienced by approximately 50% of patients.

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Testimonials

Vision therapy is well worth the response, time and effort. Our Son had a hard time focusing and writing neatly. After vision therapy Seth could complete a task in half the time if previously took. His abilities to focus improved greatly and so did his handwriting.

Also, he was better at listening. As a parent, we wanted learning to be fun for our Son, and vision therapy made this possible.

Amanda T.

Vision Therapy is well worth the expense, time and effort. Our son had a hard time focusing handwriting neatly. After vision therapy Seth could complete a task in half the time it previously took his abilities to focus and improved greatly and so did his handwriting.

Also, he was better at listening. As a parent you wanted learning to be fun for our son and vision therapy made this possible.

Alexa H.

Vision Therapy has given or son the tools he needs to be able to scan and read the written word more effectively and efficiently.

He love working with John and these working sessions give him the motivation to gladly work on his homework assignments.

It amazed us to see the difference in the tracking of his eyes and along a line of it's from the beginning to the end of the treatment.

Dr. McBryar , Kristen and John are all marvelous and we would recommend them to anyone I only wish that we would have found them sooner!

Charlotte M.

Prior to coming to the institute for vision development my son complained of daily headaches. Therapy has eliminated his headaches completely. I love knowing my son is able to learn pain-free for the rest of his life because of the work that has been done over just a few weeks in this office. He he absolutely loved coming that didn't even feel like going to a doctor or therapy. We are grateful for the relief he was able to find by coming here.

Thank you!

Olivia C.

Seems much less frustrated with life

Reads non-stop and fast

Spelling abilities have been hugely improved

Seems much more confident

Thank You!!!

Kelly O.

When we first came to the practice, my son did not have huge issues, but lots of small ones- trouble with reading, sports (hitting the baseball consistently), coordination, etc- that were not easily detectable,but when put together presented issues. The staff here were all very professional and loving towards him. While I was concerned in the reading, my son was concerned with the athletic side. Seeing improvement night off the bat gave him confidence that i have nor seen in him and made him want to not only Come to therapy, but also made him want to work hard. He has surpassed his grade level and above in reading and hit his first home run this year! Thank you!!!