Quadrantic hemianopsia is a disorder that causes blindness in one quarter of a visual field. The word is pronounced /kwɒdræntɪk hɛmiænɒpsia/ with the stress on the first syllable. It is spelled with a "q" because "quadrant" refers to one quarter and "c" is not used because it would sound like "k." "Hemianopsia" comes from the Greek words "hemi," meaning half, and "anopsis," meaning blindness. This rare condition can result from brain damage or injury to the visual pathways.
Quadrantic hemianopsia is a medical term used to describe a visual impairment characterized by the loss of vision in one-quarter of the visual field in both eyes. It is a specific type of hemianopsia, which refers to the loss of vision in either the left or right half of the visual field in both eyes. In quadrantic hemianopsia, the loss of vision occurs in one of the four quadrants of the visual field.
Quadrantic hemianopsia is usually caused by damage or injury to the optic nerve pathways or certain specific areas of the brain that are responsible for visual processing. Common causes include stroke, trauma, brain tumors, or neurological diseases such as multiple sclerosis. Depending on the location and severity of the damage, the degree of vision loss may vary.
Individuals with quadrantic hemianopsia may experience difficulty in activities requiring a wide field of vision, such as reading, navigating crowded areas, driving, or participating in sports. They may have difficulty perceiving objects, people, or obstacles in the affected quadrant, leading to potential safety concerns.
Treatment for quadrantic hemianopsia usually involves visual rehabilitation, which includes compensatory strategies to improve functional vision, such as scanning techniques to explore the missing visual areas, using mobility aids, and adopting environmental modifications to enhance safety. Vision therapy, such as eye exercises and training, may also be helpful in some cases.
Overall, quadrantic hemianopsia is a visual impairment that affects a specific quarter of the visual field and can have significant impacts on daily functioning, requiring appropriate management and support.
Tetartanopia.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The word "quadrantic hemianopsia" is derived from two main components: "quadrantic" and "hemianopsia".
1. "Quadrantic" originates from the Latin word "quadrans", meaning "a fourth part" or "one of four quarters". It refers to a division into four parts or quadrants.
2. "Hemianopsia" comes from the Greek roots "hēmi-", meaning half, and "opsia", meaning vision. Hemianopsia refers to the loss of vision in half of the visual field.
Therefore, "quadrantic hemianopsia" is a term that describes a condition where there is a loss of vision in one-fourth (or a quadrant) of the visual field.