Abstract
Purpose :
To develop a clear definition of adaptation in the context of homonymous hemianopia.
Methods :
Ethical approval was obtained for the definition development. A single questionnaire, with open-ended questions, was used to collect opinions on which to base further definition discussion at two face-to-face nominal group meetings. Final consensus for the definition was reached using an electronic nominal group process. Stroke survivors with experience of homonymous hemianopia and clinicians involved in the rehabilitation of stroke-related impairments were recruited to the consensus study.
Results :
123 questionnaires were completed by a range of clinicians and stroke survivors. Three main themes generated from the questionnaire data related to 1) behaviours in relation to hemianopia, 2) experiences in everyday life and 3) physical factors. Questionnaire responses were used to develop a working definition of ‘adaptation to hemianopia’, to take forward to the nominal group meetings. Two nominal group meetings took place with a total of 19 participants. The final definition developed was that ‘Adaptation to hemianopia is a personal journey in which people change behaviours and expectations, in order to adjust to and deal with their loss of vision. To adapt, people develop compensatory strategies, to meet the demands of their environment or tasks’.
Conclusions :
In clinical practice, there is no concise definition of the term ‘adaptation’ specific to homonymous hemianopia. This consensus work has developed a definition which has potential implications for clinical practice such as the provision of guidance to clinicians on the confirmation of functional adaptation.
This abstract was presented at the 2023 ARVO Annual Meeting, held in New Orleans, LA, April 23-27, 2023.