title: Visual field deficits following anterior temporal lobectomy: long-term follow-up and prognostic implications.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to assess the incidence of mild (<or=90 degrees) versus severe (>90 degrees from vertical) visual field defects (VFDs) in patients after anterior temporal lobectomy (ATL), and their postoperative improvement over time.
  
  
  METHODS
  The angles of postoperative VFDs of 75 patients who underwent ATL were recorded at various time points (1, 2, 6, 12, 18, 24, and 36+ months).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of all 23 patients who came in for their <1 month postoperative appointment, 65% of patients had surgically induced VFDs <90 degrees , whereas 35% had VFDs >90 degrees postoperatively. Patients in the latter group were reported for suspension of their driver's license. However, 38% experienced improvement of their VFD to <90 degrees such that their driver's license could be reinstated. Of patients with any VFD, 18-30% improved on average by a magnitude of 38 degrees within the first year postoperatively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although 35% of the VFDs that occur following temporal lobe surgery are severe, approximately 38% of these patients (especially those with starting postoperative VFDs closer to the 90 degrees angle) experience some improvement shortly after surgery. This may increase their chances of having their driver's license reinstated.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Neurological Sciences, The University of Western Ontario, London Health Sciences Centre, London, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: Debbie
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Yam
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Nicolle
authors.forename: David A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Steven
authors.forename: Donald
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Tiiu
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Hess
authors.forename: Jorge G
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Burneo
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D038481:Anterior Temporal Lobectomy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D011379:Prognosis; D013702:Temporal Lobe / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014786:Vision Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D014794:Visual Fields / Q000502:physiology*; D055815:Young Adult