Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 30, 2026
Dynamic Visual Tests to Identify and Quantify Visual Damage and Repair Following Demyelination in Optic Neuritis Patients
Published on: April 14, 2014
Prognostic Factors for Long-Term Recovery of Homonymous Visual Field Defects After Posterior Circulation Ischemic
Cárdenas-Belaunzarán Jorge1, Cano-Nigenda Vanessa2, Barboza Miguel A3
1Department of Neuro-Ophthalmology, Instituto Nacional de Neurología y Neurocirugía Manuel Velasco Suárez, Mexico City, Mexico; Department of Neuro-Ophthalmology, Asociación para Evitar la Ceguera en México, I.A.P., Mexico City, Mexico.
Objectives:
Ischemic stroke (IS) is the main cause of homonymous visual field defects (HVFDs) in adults. Some reports suggest recovery even in late-phase strokes, but data is sparse. This study examines the frequency of long-term recovery from HVFDs in patients with posterior circulation infarction (POCI) and evaluates whether demographic or clinical characteristics are prognostic factors of perimetric recovery.
Materials And Methods:
Our study included patients with HVFDS due to POCI who had undergone 2 or more kinetic perimetric evaluations at least 6 months after the index IS. Clinical and imaging data were systematically reviewed and we performed univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses to determine whether demographic, stroke etiology (TOAST classification), and initial perimetric patterns were prognostic factors of visual recovery occurring 6 months and beyond from POCI.
Results:
One hundred one patients with POCI were included. Median subject age was 60 years and 54.4% were female. After a median perimetric follow-up time of 13.5 months, spontaneous visual improvement was observed in 15.8% of patients. Prognostic factors for visual improvement were age < 50 years (OR 4.6; P = 0.093), POCI associated with hypercoagulable states (OR 12.3; P = 0.048), and vertebral artery dissection (OR 12.6; P = 0.048), while the presence of complete homonymous hemianopia was a negative predictor of recovery (OR 0.2; P = 0.048).
Conclusion:
Partial visual recovery in HVFDs is observed even 6 months and beyond POCI. Age < 50 years and stroke etiology were predictors of recovery.
