Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSymptomsCausesDiagnosisTreatmentCoping
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Symptoms
Causes
Diagnosis
Treatment
Coping
Hemianopsia, orhomonymoushemianopsia, is a condition that causes a person to see only one side of the visual field in each of their eyes. You may also hear it called hemianopia. The only difference between hemianopia and hemianopsia is in the spelling.
This condition presents in an unusual way, causing individuals who are unaware of their condition to believe they havelost visionin one entire eye. Hemianopsia is not the result of damage to the structures of the eye, but rather the result of damage to the brain which causes impaired ability to visually perceive the environment.
This article covers the symptoms and causes of hemianopsia. It explains how the condition is diagnosed, which treatments are available to help fix hemianopsia, and how you can manage hemianopsia on a daily basis.
Rg Studio / Getty Images
Symptoms of Hemianopsia
Some people with homonymous hemianopsia may not even know they have it. As hemianopsia can make it appear as if vision has been lost in one entire eye, this means attention to each individual symptom will be important in determining if you truly have hemianopsia.
Symptoms of homonymous hemianopsia include:
People with homonymous hemianopsia may become frustrated with visual tasks and may also have difficulty reading.
Causes of Hemianopsia
Homonymous hemianopsia is not a condition which develops in isolation, as this is solely the result ofinjury to the brain.
With hemianopsia, the structures of the eyes themselves are not damaged and are functioning properly. Instead, the brain is not properly perceiving what the eyes are seeing.
Hemianopsia may result from any disorder affecting the brain, including:
Hemianopsia can result from injury within several parts of the brain, all of which play different roles in vision and visual processing.
Diagnosing Hemianopsia
Hemianopsia itself is diagnosed after an in-depth visual evaluation.
Imaging, such asmagnetic resonance imaging (MRI), can assist with determining what and where the injury in the brain is. This will also assist in getting appropriate treatment to restore function both to the brain and an individual’s visual skills.
Is There Treatment for Hemianopsia?
Occupational and Vision Therapy
Each specialist will bring a different set of skills in treating an individual with hemianopsia, depending on the severity and type of deficits that someone experiences. Some individuals may wish to regain their ability to safely drive and may benefit from seeing a driving specialist.
An occupational therapist may also function as alow vision specialistor driving specialist (after obtaining the appropriate certifications) and train individuals to improve visual skills such as tracking, scanning, balance, and overall coordination.
These skills can assist in improving an individual’s interaction with the environment, and ability to read, drive, and complete other daily tasks. An occupational therapist then focuses on rehabilitating an individual to once again complete such meaningful daily tasks, with a focus onself-caresuch as dressing, grooming, bathing, eating, and toileting.
While this may be a difficult diagnosis to adjust to, therapy services can assist in improving quality-of-life and functional performance, while improving one’s ability to cope with remaining visual symptoms.
Treating Brain Injury
Therapy treatment related to the associated brain injury can also assist with vision changes and symptoms of hemianopsia. For example, removal of a brain tumor or surgical and medical treatment of brain inflammation can assist in improving the associated visual deficits.
Daily Management of Hemianopsia
If you believe you may have hemianopsia or are struggling to cope with your diagnosis, contact your healthcare provider to discuss available treatments and supports in your community and beyond.
Organizations such as the American Foundation for the Blind, or the Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired (ABVI) in conjunction with Goodwill Industries can provide low-vision materials and resources for those in need.
Support groups and other online resources can also assist with tips for improved engagement in activities such as reading, driving, and navigating your environment. These resources can also assist with providing emotional support and encouragement from others dealing with similar issues.
There are often some mental health symptoms and conditions associated with injury to the brain, so ensuring these are addressed is also important to maintaining a good outlook on prognosis and motivation for improvement.A global approach to therapy for hemianopsia will allow individuals to return to activities of meaning with modifications and adjustments as needed.
A Caregiver’s Guide to Coping With Vision Loss
Summary
Contact a healthcare provider if you or someone you know is showing symptoms of vision loss. Rehabilitation for hemianopsia may require a treatment team consisting of an occupational therapist, low vision specialist, or driving specialist. Treatment of an underlying condition like a brain injury or tumor may be needed in some cases.
8 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Library of Medicine.Hemianopsia.Goodwin D.Homonymous hemianopia: challenges and solutions.OPTH. 2014;22(8):1919-1927. doi:10.2147/OPTH.S59452North American Neuro-Ophthalmology Society.Homonymous hemianopsia.North American Neuro-Ophthalmology Society.Homonymous hemianopsia.Goodwin D.Homonymous hemianopia: challenges and solutions.OPTH. 2014;22(8):1919-1927. doi:10.2147/OPTH.S59452Tanaka T, Takei J, Teshigawara A, et al.Avoidance and improvement in visual field defect after surgery for metastatic brain tumors in the parietal and the occipital lobe.World Neurosurgery. 2021;155:e847-e857. doi:10.1016/j.wneu.2021.09.029American Foundation for the Blind.Resources for adults new to vision loss.UCLA Healthcare.Homonymous hemianopia in primary care setting.
8 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Library of Medicine.Hemianopsia.Goodwin D.Homonymous hemianopia: challenges and solutions.OPTH. 2014;22(8):1919-1927. doi:10.2147/OPTH.S59452North American Neuro-Ophthalmology Society.Homonymous hemianopsia.North American Neuro-Ophthalmology Society.Homonymous hemianopsia.Goodwin D.Homonymous hemianopia: challenges and solutions.OPTH. 2014;22(8):1919-1927. doi:10.2147/OPTH.S59452Tanaka T, Takei J, Teshigawara A, et al.Avoidance and improvement in visual field defect after surgery for metastatic brain tumors in the parietal and the occipital lobe.World Neurosurgery. 2021;155:e847-e857. doi:10.1016/j.wneu.2021.09.029American Foundation for the Blind.Resources for adults new to vision loss.UCLA Healthcare.Homonymous hemianopia in primary care setting.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
National Library of Medicine.Hemianopsia.Goodwin D.Homonymous hemianopia: challenges and solutions.OPTH. 2014;22(8):1919-1927. doi:10.2147/OPTH.S59452North American Neuro-Ophthalmology Society.Homonymous hemianopsia.North American Neuro-Ophthalmology Society.Homonymous hemianopsia.Goodwin D.Homonymous hemianopia: challenges and solutions.OPTH. 2014;22(8):1919-1927. doi:10.2147/OPTH.S59452Tanaka T, Takei J, Teshigawara A, et al.Avoidance and improvement in visual field defect after surgery for metastatic brain tumors in the parietal and the occipital lobe.World Neurosurgery. 2021;155:e847-e857. doi:10.1016/j.wneu.2021.09.029American Foundation for the Blind.Resources for adults new to vision loss.UCLA Healthcare.Homonymous hemianopia in primary care setting.
National Library of Medicine.Hemianopsia.
Goodwin D.Homonymous hemianopia: challenges and solutions.OPTH. 2014;22(8):1919-1927. doi:10.2147/OPTH.S59452
North American Neuro-Ophthalmology Society.Homonymous hemianopsia.
Tanaka T, Takei J, Teshigawara A, et al.Avoidance and improvement in visual field defect after surgery for metastatic brain tumors in the parietal and the occipital lobe.World Neurosurgery. 2021;155:e847-e857. doi:10.1016/j.wneu.2021.09.029
American Foundation for the Blind.Resources for adults new to vision loss.
UCLA Healthcare.Homonymous hemianopia in primary care setting.
Meet Our Medical Expert Board
Share Feedback
Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
Was this page helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
What is your feedback?
