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Right sided hemianopia

Published March 2018

Download the full evidence summary PDF: Right sided hemianopia

What were we asked?

A parent asked us: What is the best way to help young children with hemianopia, especially right-sided, learn to read?

Key findings

Hemianopia is a vision impairment in which there is loss of part of the field of vision. It affects ability to move around objects and reading. It can impact on learning, independence, and leisure activities.

Several interventions and aids aim to help children with hemianopia including prisms, compensatory training, and vision restoration therapy.

Most of the evidence for treatment to improve reading with hemianopia is based on adults with stroke.

We were not able to find robust evidence for prisms or vision restoration therapy for improving reading.

There is some evidence that compensatory training in reading skills can improve reading speed in adults.

More research is needed to determine the effectiveness of these interventions and aids to help children with hemianopia with reading.

This information is produced by PenCRU researchers and reviewed by external experts. The views expressed are those of PenCRU at the University of Exeter Medical School and do not represent the views of the Cerebra charity, or any other parties mentioned. We strongly recommend seeking medical advice before undertaking any treatments/therapies.