Bilateral hemianopsia is a medical term used to describe loss of vision in both eyes. The spelling of this word can be broken down into its individual parts, each of which has a specific sound in the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA). "Bi-" means "two" and is pronounced /baɪ/. "Lateral" refers to the side and is pronounced /ˈlatərəl/. "Hemi-" means half and is pronounced /ˈhɛmɪ/. "-anopsia" means blindness and is pronounced /ænˈɒpsiə/. Putting it all together, "bilateral hemianopsia" is pronounced /baɪˈlætərəl hɛmɪˈænɒpsiə/.
Bilateral hemianopsia is a medical term used to describe a visual impairment characterized by the loss of vision in both visual fields of both eyes, resulting in the affected individual experiencing reduced peripheral vision and the inability to see objects or events occurring in the outer edges of their visual field.
This condition occurs as a result of a lesion or damage to the optic chiasm, which is a point located near the base of the brain where the optic nerves partially cross over. As a result, both the left and right visual fields are affected, leading to a bilateral loss of vision.
Typically, individuals with bilateral hemianopsia retain their central vision, allowing them to see objects or events directly in front of them. However, their ability to see objects or events on either side is significantly compromised, leading to potential difficulties in activities such as driving, reading, or identifying objects in their surroundings.
Bilateral hemianopsia can be caused by various medical conditions, including strokes, brain tumors, traumatic brain injuries, or diseases affecting the optic nerve. Treatment options for this condition depend on the underlying cause and may include medication, surgery, or visual aids such as prism glasses to enhance visual field awareness and compensate for the loss of peripheral vision.
H. Affecting both eyes.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The etymology of the term "bilateral hemianopsia" can be broken down as follows:
1. Bilateral: The term "bilateral" is derived from the Latin word "bi", meaning "two", and "lateralis", meaning "side". In medical terminology, "bilateral" is used to indicate that a condition or symptom affects both sides or both halves of a structure or the body.
2. Hemianopsia: The term "hemianopsia" is derived from two Greek roots - "hemi", meaning "half", and "opsia", meaning "vision" or "sight". Hemianopsia refers to a condition in which half of the visual field is lost or impaired in both eyes.
When combined, "bilateral hemianopsia" therefore refers to a visual impairment in which half of the visual field is lost in both eyes.