Some of the children have visual problems ranging from SOD to nystagmus (eye
muscle
control related to cerebral lpalsy type of tightness or weakness). Trying to
understand
what is causing particular problems for a parent can sometimes be hard when
the child isn't verbal enough to say what they do or do not see.
For us, the optic nerves are fine, but visual muscle control has been a
necessary
therapeutic intervention.
I believe that due to the nature of the large empty cleft in the upper left
portion of
the brain that equates to a severe stroke, Evan has had visual problems
relating to
some described for stroke victims with major visual field defects, known as
homoymous hemianopia. Basically one side of the visual field (this is where
the hemi word comes in) is blocked. You get a visual effect of looking
through a
keyhole, where parts of the view are obstructed.
Here is a site that shows you what the left field defect would look like (it
can also
be right field depending on where the brain damage has occurred, I believe
Evan's
is a right field defect). (click on the link below and scroll to homonymous
hemianopia)
Evan isn't sufficiently verbal to say what her visual fields are but she holds
her head slightly to the right when needing to view particular objects
directly in front
of her. I believe she is simply compensating her head movement to bring the
object into the left visual field that does exist for her. She consistly
moves her head this way to see
objects, which leads me to believe that the right side of her left eye has a
lack of vision, due to the affected area of her brain.
This has been some helpful information for me and might be something of
interest
for other parents trying to understand what might be causing visual problems
for their Schiz Kids.
Sincerely,
Joan