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Updated: Jun 15, 2026
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Driving Simulation in the Clinic: Testing Visual Exploratory Behavior in Daily Life Activities in Patients with Visual Field Defects
Published on: September 18, 2012
Bilateral superior altitudinal hemianopia: missing the goal, but hitting the stroke cause
Thorleif Etgen1, Michaela Köhler, Dirk Sander
1Department of Neurology, Klinikum Traunstein, Germany. thorleif.etgen@klinikum-traunstein.de
Summary
Bilateral superior altitudinal hemianopia, a rare ischemic stroke symptom, occurred due to optic radiation ischemia. Prompt clinical evaluation is crucial for accurate diagnosis and treatment.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Ophthalmology
- Neuroscience
Background:
- Ischemic stroke can manifest with diverse neurological deficits.
- Bilateral superior altitudinal hemianopia is an infrequent presentation of cerebrovascular events.
Observation:
- A case of ischemic stroke presented with pure bilateral superior altitudinal hemianopia.
- The visual field defect resulted from bilateral ischemia affecting the optic radiation.
Findings:
- The patient's visual symptom was initially misidentified as a delusion.
- Detailed neurological and ophthalmological examination confirmed the ischemic origin.
Implications:
- Highlights the importance of thorough clinical assessment in diagnosing uncommon stroke presentations.
- Emphasizes the need to consider vascular causes for visual field defects to prevent diagnostic delays.
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