Vision

Question 1

Reading strategies for homonymous hemiapnosia

Answer 1

★ Reading anchor on page (side of deficit)
★ Pre-reading exercises (search for specific letters, numbers, or words to assist with accuracy with saccadic movements)
★ Large print material or magnification (reduces density of text, requiring less saccadic precision)

Question 2

Homonymous hemiapnosia

Answer 2

★ Visual field loss on the same side of both eyes (right or left)

★ Common causes: stroke, traumatic brain injury, brain tumors

★ Client may bump into objects or ignore stimuli on the affected side

★ Lesion is contralateral to the side of vision loss (e.g., right occipital lobe → left visual field loss)

★ May impair reading, driving, navigation, and daily activities

★ Management: visual rehabilitation, compensatory strategies (e.g., scanning training)

Question 3

Strategies to increase functional mobility for individuals with homonymous hemiapnosia

Answer 3

★ Scan course & narrated walk
– Promotes systematic & organized visual search of the environment
– Increases client’s awareness of the visual deficit and the need to compensate for the lost vision

★ Balloon volley
– Encourages effective & efficient head movements to locate the balloon & volley the balloon back

Question 4

Compensations associated with homonymous hemiapnosia

Answer 4

★ Turn head to completely search blind visual field
★ Learn to anticipate visual input on the impaired side & develop organized & effective visual search pattern