Biofeedback for Hemianopia Vision Rehabilitation

Summary

Patients with brain injury secondary to stroke, surgery, or trauma frequently suffer from homonymous hemianopia, defined as vision loss in one hemifield secondary to retro- chiasmal lesion. Classic and effective saccadic compensatory training therapies are current aim to reorganize the control of visual information processing and eye movements or, in other words, to induce or improve oculomotor adaptation to visual field loss. Patients learn to intentionally shift their eyes and, thus, their visual field border, into the area corresponding to their blind visual field. This shift brings the visual information from the blind hemifield into the seeing hemifield for further processing. Patients learn, therefore, to efficiently use their eyes "to keep the 'blind side' in sight". Biofeedback training (BT) is the latest and newest technique for oculomotor control training in cases with low vision when using available modules in the new microperimetry instruments. Studies in the literature highlighted positive benefits from using BT in a variety of central vision loss, nystagmus cases, and others.The purpose of this study is to assess systematically the impact of BT in a series of cases with hemianopia and formulate guidelines for further use of this intervention in vision rehabilitation of hemianopia cases in general.

Eligibility

Inclusion Criteria:

* hemianopia cases previously diagnosed accordingly by microperimetry and other tests as needed
* 18-90 years old
* ability to follow the visual and auditory stimuli and training instructions

Exclusion Criteria:

* previous or current treatment for low vision rehabilitation
* ocular diseases
* other serious clinical conditions not related to the hemianopia physiopathology
* both eyes with media opacity that impairs microperimetry testing
* lack of ability to perform the tests and training

Conditions6

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