altitudinal
Top or Bottom Half Loss
Plain-language definition
A visual-field defect that affects the top or bottom half of vision in one eye. Classic for ischemic optic neuropathy.
Where this term comes up
“An altitudinal visual field defect is loss of the upper or lower half of vision in one eye, with the missing area stopping cleanly along a horizontal line through the center of sight.”
Finding · Altitudinal Visual Field Defect
“Ischemic optic neuropathy: altitudinal defects”
“Altitudinal defect: loss of upper or lower half of one eye's vision”
Symptom · Visual Field Deficits
- Category
- Condition, finding, or disease process
- Also written as
- No alternate forms listed.
Pathology terms describe diseases, tissue changes, exam findings, or complications that can affect vision or eye comfort.
Related glossary terms
- ischemia
Reduced Blood Supply
- MRI
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
- homonymous
Same Side of Both Eyes
- chiasm
Optic Nerve Crossing
- OCT
Optical Coherence Tomography
- hemianopia
Loss of Half of Vision
A note on medical context
A glossary definition can explain a word, but it cannot tell you whether a symptom or test result is serious. If this term came from an article, use the full article and your clinician's guidance for context.