Altitudinal Field Defect
Altitudinal Field Defect
Altitudinal visual field defects are horizontal hemianopias, in that they respect the horizontal meridian; they may be superior or inferior. Altitudinal field defects are characteristic of (but not exclusive to) disease in the distribution of the central retinal artery. Central vision may be preserved (macula sparing) because the blood supply of the macula often comes from the cilioretinal arteries.
Recognized causes of altitudinal visual field defects include:
- Monocular:
- Central retinal artery occlusion (CRAO)
Acute ischemic optic neuropathy (AION)
Retinal detachment
Choroiditis Glaucoma
Chronic atrophic papilledema
- Central retinal artery occlusion (CRAO)
- Bilateral:
- Sequential CRAO, AION
Bilateral occipital (inferior or superior calcarine cortices) lesions
- Sequential CRAO, AION
Cross References
Hemianopia; Macula sparing, Macula splitting; Quadrantanopia; Visual field defects
