A patient suffers a stroke affecting the right optic tract. The expected visual field defect is:
- A Right homonymous hemianopia
- B Left homonymous hemianopia ✓
- C Bitemporal hemianopia
- D Right superior quadrantanopia
Correct answer: B. Left homonymous hemianopia
Explanation
After the optic chiasm, the optic tract carries fibers from the ipsilateral temporal retina and the contralateral nasal retina—together representing the contralateral visual hemifield. A right optic tract lesion therefore produces a left homonymous hemianopia (loss of the left visual field in both eyes). Bitemporal hemianopia results from chiasmal compression, while quadrantanopia results from partial optic radiation lesions (Meyer's loop for superior quadrantanopia from temporal lobe lesions).
Reference: Khurana Comprehensive Ophthalmology, 7th ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.