4.3 - Quadrantanopia: When a Quarter of Your Vision Disappears

Imagine reading a book with one corner of every page missing—or driving with a blind spot in just one quadrant of your view. That’s the world of quadrantanopia.

Think of your vision like a four-pane window. Now imagine one pane goes black. That’s quadrantanopia—a type of partial visual field loss that often flies under the radar but has a significant impact on reading, navigation, and safety.

What Is Quadrantanopia?

Quadrantanopia refers to vision loss in a quarter of the visual field—typically upper or lower, left or right, in both eyes. It’s most commonly caused by:

• Occipital lobe damage

• Temporal or parietal lobe stroke

• Trauma, tumors, or epilepsy affecting specific optic radiations

Everyday Effects

• Misses key parts of text, images, or signs

• Difficulty noticing hazards from above/below or to the side

• Poor ball-handling or sport performance

• Unsteady on stairs or uneven surfaces

• Confused by partial views of objects

📊 Quadrantanopia is often underdiagnosed because patients may not realize which parts of their vision are missing—until they fall, trip, or misread.

Vision Rehab Approaches

• Visual scanning therapy with quadrant-specific exercises

• Prism correction if appropriate for awareness support

• Reading guides or text anchors to reduce skipping

• Mobility and environmental adaptations (e.g., stair highlights, hazard markings)

Quote to Remember

Final Thoughts

Quadrantanopia may be subtle—but its impact on safety and confidence is not. Early diagnosis and rehab-focused strategies empower patients to rebuild their visual maps and regain control.