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Visual field rehabilitation in the cortically blind?

R Balliet, K M Blood, P Bach-y-Rita

Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery, and Psychiatry

|November 1, 1985

Summary

Visual field restitution in humans with striate cortex damage is not trainable. This study found that previous claims of visual field recovery through practice should be viewed cautiously, as current methods are likely ineffective.

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Area of Science:

Neuroscience
Ophthalmology
Visual Rehabilitation

Background:

Previous research suggested that specific training could restore visual fields in patients with striate cortex lesions.
These findings prompted further investigation into the efficacy of such retraining methods.

Purpose of the Study:

To rigorously evaluate the trainability of visual field restitution in patients with homonymous hemianopia or quadrantanopia.
To control for confounding variables that may have influenced previous study outcomes.

Main Methods:

Twelve patients with homonymous hemianopia or quadrantanopia underwent retraining using methods similar to prior studies.
Experimental conditions were controlled to mitigate subjective impressions, response variability, strategy changes, and eccentric fixation.
The study focused on controlled assessment of visual field changes.

Main Results:

The results demonstrated that increases in visual field size were not achievable through the implemented training.
The study found no evidence supporting the trainability of visual field restitution.

Conclusions:

Previous reports on visual field restitution through practice should be approached with caution.
Current methods are unlikely to enable the recovery of visual fields following damage to the striate cortex in humans.

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