Overlapping visual fields – A “diagnostic” conundrum

• Main Authors: Sophia Louisraj, C A Nelson Jesudasan
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications 2021-01-01
• Series: TNOA Journal of Ophthalmic Science and Research
• Subjects: field defect; glaucoma; neurological event
• Online Access: http://www.tnoajosr.com/article.asp?issn=2589-4528;year=2021;volume=59;issue=3;spage=307;epage=309;aulast=Louisraj
• ISSN: 2589-4528; 2589-4536

A 55-year old male, a patient with established glaucoma, presented with worsening of visual complaints. Field analysis revealed an apparent progression of the pre-existing field changes. A possible overlap of a neurological field defect was however suspected. Computerised tomogram (CT) revealed an acute vascular event in the territory of the middle cerebral artery. Mistaking the new field defect as a sign of glaucoma progression, would have resulted in missing the cerebrovascular accident, with a possible ominous outcome. Careful interpretation of visual fields (especially in those with pre-existing field defects), is therefore, a must in every given clinical scenario.