Reading in hemianopia

We found in previous studies that patients with hemianopia and macular splitting can use a slightly eccentric retinal fixation locus to create a small parafoveal perceptual span for reading.

By measuring the size of macular sparing by a custom SLO-perimetry, we found that a size of 2 degrees is absolutely necessary for reading ability and a size of at least 5 degrees is necessary for fluent reading, which confirmed earlier studies with window experiments in subjects with normal vision.

We performed a RCT with a training of vertical versus horizontal reading direction and found significant improvement (see Training methods to improve reading and spatial orientation).

Orientation in hemianopia

We performed an RCT with an explorative saccadic training with a search task on a computer screen as a home training and found significant improvement of exploration, spatial orientation and quality of life in adults and children.

Main publications related to this topic (see also complete list of publications)

1. Trauzettel - Klosinski S (1997): Eccentric fixation in hemianopic field defects - a valuable strategy to improve reading ability and an indication for cortical plasticity. Neuro - Ophthalmol 18: 117-131
   https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.3109/01658109709044129
2. Trauzettel - Klosinski S, Brendler K (1998): Eye movements in reading with hemianopic field defects: the significance of clinical parameters. Graefe`s Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmol 236: 91-102
   https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/s004170050048.pdf
3. Trauzettel - Klosinski S, Reinhard J (1998) The vertical field border in human hemianopia and its significance for fixation behavior and reading. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 39. 2177-2186
   https://iovs.arvojournals.org/article.aspx?articleid=2161929
4. Reinhard J, Trauzettel-Klosinski S (2003) Nasotemporal overlap of retinal ganglion cells in humans: a functional study. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 44, No 4: 1568-1572
   https://iovs.arvojournals.org/article.aspx?articleid=2123833
5. Reinhard J, Schreiber A, Schiefer U, Sabel BA, Kasten E, Kenkel S, Vonthein R, Trauzettel-Klosinski S (2005) Does visual restitution training change absolute homonymous scotoma? British Journal of Ophthalmology 89: 30-35
   https://bjo.bmj.com/content/89/1/30.long
6. Horton JC, Fahle M, Mulder T, Trauzettel-Klosinski S (2017). Adaptation, perceptual learning, and plasticity of brain functions Graefes Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmol 255:435–447, DOI 10.1007/s00417-016-3580-y
   http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2Fs00417-016-3580-y
7. Neumayr L, Pieper T, Kudernatsch M, Trauzettel-Klosinski S, Staudt M.(2019)  Uncovering visual field defects in candidates for pediatric epilepsy surgery. European Journal of Paediatric Neurology. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejpn.2019.11.003