vision loss or visual impairment
Visual impairment is a depreciation of the functionalities of the eyes, especially the ability to perceive the different elements. The discussion of vision loss or visual impairment is based on the understanding of the roles of the visual skills in human beings. There is a growing need to explore the various forms of visual impairments as a means of defining the management of these multiple conditions. The human eye is a sensitive organ that is also connected to the brain. Parts of the brain control and determine the functionalities of the eyes. As such, damage to the brain may lead to a depreciation of the visual abilities based on the degree of damage to the brain. Different visual impairments arise from injuries that affect the brain.
There is a need to establish scrutiny of the link between the brain and the eyes. The relationship between the brain and the eyes is defined by the occipital lobe (Saini et al., 2018). The functioning of the eyes is based on the light rays that are directed to the retina, which has cells that absorb and interpret the light rays in the form of electrochemical impulses (Greenwald et al., 2012). The pulses are thence transferred to the optical nerve and received in the occipital lobe (Merabet et al., 2017). These are vital elements that highlight the importance of the relationship that exists between the brain and the eyes. Biousse et al. (2019) argue that the brain provides a platform for the interpretation of the light rays as perceived by the eye organs.
Further, the link between the brain and the eyes is that some conditions highlighted in an individual’s vision may also imply similar problems with the mind. For instance, Alexander & Cloughesy (2017) note that mils vascular disease of the eyes reflects possible vascular issues in the brain leading to memory loss and slowed thinking. Adverse effects on the brain are, therefore, likely to also affect the vision functionalities of the individuals. Different visual conditions are experienced as a result of troubles with the individual’s brain.
Cerebral achromatopsia
A cerebral achromatopsia is a form of color blindness that results from injuries to the brain, specifically, the cerebral cortex (Kozak, 2018). The psychological deficits that mark this condition are majorly defined by the loss of the ability to perceive and differentiate the different colors in the environment. Saini et al. (2018) caution, however, the need to note the difference between cerebral achromatopsia and color agnosia, although the two conditions almost present similar characteristics. Agnosia affects the ability to specify color combinations (Kohl et al., 2018). There is a need to understand the symptoms of cerebral achromatopsia as well as the potential causes of this condition and its impact on the human visual functionalities.
Cerebral achromatopsia manifests in different ways, although Kohl et al. (2018) argue that the individual is most likely unable to accept or note the challenges with the perception of colors. This indicates the subtle nature of this condition, especially the overall impact that it has on the visual abilities of the patient. Notably, the individuals will often recognize the experience of gray color in their interactions with their environment, and Kozak (2018) postulates that a manifestation of gray experiences is a sign of the acquired color blindness. The difference between cerebral and congenital achromatopsia is that those born with the condition do not recognize any color, including gray (Greenwald et al., 2012).
There is a need to establish the occurrence of color blindness in terms of the presentations of the condition. Yoo et al. (2020) discuss that color blindness marks the inability of the individual to identify the different wavelengths for the different colors. While the eye can perceive the different wavelengths of light, the individual cannot identify the subtle differences in terms of the intensity of these wavelengths (Kohl et al., 2018). Color blindness, therefore, affects the ability to recognize the different colors, including red, blue, yellow, and green. The impact of the injury limits the area of the cerebral cortex that translates the different wavelengths of light in the brain.
Glioblastoma
One of the significant brain conditions that affect vision is glioblastoma. According to Alexander & Cloughesy (2017), this is a type of brain cancer that leads to a different degree of visual impairment. It is also important to note that disease can occur at any age, although the likelihood of incidence is higher for older adults (Kozak, 2018). Notably, glioblastoma is considered as an aggressive tumor that is malignant and spreads faster than other brain tumors (Iverson & Lange, 2011). It is, therefore, essential to find earlier diagnosis and treatment. However, in most cases, it is not possible to cure the condition, but different management strategies have been established time. The manifestation of this disease begins at the cerebrum, where it develops its blood supply tissues and may also later affect the healthy brain tissues (Wick et al., 2017). These are critical elements of the disease that lead to increased visual impairment.
A glioblastoma is a form of visual impairment as it presents itself in terms of visual issues in the different patients. It is essential to consider the relationship that this condition creates with the visual abilities of the patient. Various symptoms highlight the occurrence of this disease. Alexander & Cloughesy (2017) notes that blurred vision, double vision, and problems in thinking and speaking are the earliest manifestation of the condition (Wick et al., 2017). The form of visual impairment that comes with this brain disease is realized through the blurred vision. Blurred vision implies that the patient is not able to see clearly without the help of focus lenses (Greenwald et al., 2012). While there are medical remedies for the condition, cancer may require intrusive approaches that involve the removal of the tumor from the brain.
According to Wick et al. (2017), the condition spreads to the other parts of the brain, and these may lead to a worsening of the visual issues that the individual presents. Cancer that is found in the cerebrum leads to injuries in the brain, and as such, these are more likely to affect the visual abilities of the patient. Alexander & Cloughesy (2017) also note that neurological issues that are related to this condition will influence the management strategies towards the restoration of eyesight for the patient.
Homonymous hemianopia
Homonymous hemianopia is a significant visual impairment that emerges from injuries to the brain. According to Biousse et al. (2019), Homonymous hemianopia is realized through the loss of visual abilities on either half of the visual field in the eyes. Khoury (2019) discusses that the Homonymous hemianopia results from the development of lesions on the retrocausal visual pathways. These elements could include injuries of the optic tract or lateral geniculate nucleus. Also, Biousse et al. (2019) discuss that the visual loss of the individual marks the condition. An essential manifestation of this condition is characterized by individuals bumping into obstacles on their path. This is a common sign of the increased impairment of visual abilities.
There is a need to understand the different signs and symptoms that reflect the occurrence of Homonymous hemianopia. The condition thus affects the mobility of the patient, considering that the patient is unable to see clearly, especially those obstacles found on the sides of the eyesight fields (Biousse et al., 2019). There is a need to explore the different causes that would lead to the occurrence of Homonymous hemianopia. Kozak et al. (2018) postulate that lesions in the optic tract, stroke, trauma, and infections of the brain may lead to the occurrence of Homonymous hemianopia. The manifestation of the impairment works in such a way that an individual with a lesion on the right side of the optic tract will have difficulty in recognizing objects on the left side (Biousse et al., 2019).
Strokes can also lead to injuries on the brain; for instance, stroke may affect the occipital lobe and hence lead to visual field defects (Kozak, 2018). A diagnosis of the condition highlights that the infraction of the occipital cortex will result in muscular sparing hemianopia. This is caused by the double supply of blood from both the posterior cerebral artery and the middle cerebral arteries (Pel et al., 2016). In other instances, occlusion of the calcarine artery may also lead to infarction of the superior segments of the occipital lobe and thereby create the peripheral visual defect (van der Zee et al. 2019). While different strategies have been adopted in managing this type of impairment, there is a need to establish vital approaches in preventing the various causes. Health protection and maintenance are critical elements of limiting the occurrence and prevalence of this condition among the population.
There is a need to identify the specific type of injury that has affected the peripheral vision of the individual. The importance of this diagnosis is based on the need to establish mitigation measures that would promote management (Merabet et al., 2017). A critical approach has been the provision of peripheral prism spectacles, which facilitate the expansion of the visual field of the affected individual (Yoo et al., 2020). These measures are essential in limiting the effects of visual impairment, although counterbalancing of brain lesions has also been considered in reducing visual deficits.
A specific part of the brain is linked to the visual abilities of the human being. It means that any injury to these parts of the brain will directly affect the vision of the individual. The occurrence of damage could include diseases or direct injuries such as trauma on the different parts of the brain that harm the image. There is a need to consider the management strategies that would limit the progression of these injuries as well as the resultant visual impairment. The occipital lobe, the cerebral cortex, and the two hemispheres in the brain are all linked to the eyesight and its interpretation of what it perceives. As such, an injury to any of these parts would affect the ability of the individual to understand things in their environment. Visual impairments are manifestations of the status of these critical parts of the brain.