Bagolini striated glasses test and lesions of the optic chiasm.

PURPOSE: To examine the usefulness of the Bagolini Striated Glasses Test to identify patients with a lesion of the optic chiasm.

SUBJECTS AND

METHODS

Twelve patients who were diagnosed with a lesion of the optic chiasm by MRI were examined with the Bagolini Striated Glasses Test. Discrepancies of the test between monocular and binocular conditions were analyzed. Visual acuity, visual field and stereo tests were also administered and assessed.

RESULTS

Nine out of 12 cases (75%) showed conflicting results with the Bagolini Striated Glasses Test between monocular and binocular conditions. With monocular testing, essentially normal stripes were observed in each eye. In binocular testing, stripes which were projected upon nasal retina were suppressed bilaterally (bitemporal hemianopia pattern) ("mountain pattern") or monocularly (monocular temporal hemianopia pattern).

CONCLUSION

The Bagolini Striated Glasses Test can be used as a simple differential diagnostic test for lesions of the optic chiasm. The "mountain pattern" seen binocularly on this test may be pathognomonic for such lesions, which may otherwise be asymptomatic and/or overlooked.