Walsh and Hoyt's Clinical Neuro-Ophthalmology

Topical Diagnosis of Chiasmal and Retrochiasmal Disorders

"The optic chiasm is one of the most important structures in neuro-ophthalmologic diagnosis. The arrangement of visual fibers in the chiasm accounts for the characteristic visual field defects caused by such diverse lesions as tumor, inflammation, demyelination, ischemia, and infiltration."

"The optic chiasm is one of the most important structures in neuro-ophthalmologic diagnosis. The arrangement of visual fibers in the chiasm accounts for the characteristic visual field defects caused by such diverse lesions as tumor, inflammation, demyelination, ischemia, and infiltration. In addition, damage to neurologic and vascular structures adjacent to the chiasm produces typical additional symptoms. Thus, accurate diagnosis depends on having knowledge of both the neuro-ophthalmologic and non-neuro-ophthalmologic manifestations of chiasmal lesions. Two early papers are of fundamental importance: Adler et al. (1) described early field changes in chiasmal lesions, and Gartner (2) outlined ocular pathology in the chiasmal syndrome. A paper of historical interest describes a case of chiasmal compression from the 16th century (3)."