Detection and follow-up of homonymous visual field defects - perimetric essentials for evaluation of spontaneous recovery.

Clinical detection and follow-up of homonymous visual field defects require appropriate perimetric procedures: since postgeniculate lesions are usually characterised by absolute scotomata, time consuming threshold methods can be replaced by supraliminal strategies with comparatively high stimulus densities. Compared with equidistant rectangular grids, a centripetal stimulus condensation represents the physiological conditions more adequately and thus is more effective. It allows one to differentiate central changes of the visual field, like macular sparing or splitting, which also interfere with reading performance. This procedure requires test points to be located to either side of the vertical meridian, rather than directly on it. Multimodal assessment of visual subfunctions (using static, kinetic or colour test points, random dot patterns or optokinetic stimulation) specifies the effect of the lesion in different channels or regions of the visual pathways. Automation of perimetric procedures and continuous monitoring of fixation are important tools, enhancing the quality of examination and follow-up. The above mentioned psychophysical techniques for detection of functional defects and documentation of eventual recovery, as well as matching neuroimaging findings, are demonstrated by illustrative cases.