Abstract
Twenty cases of optic ataxia were reported together with progression in their symptoms Optic ataxia is a disorder of hand movement in which the patient is unable to grasp objects located in the central visual field (the so-called “optische Ataxie” ) and/or the peripheral visual field (the so-called “ataxie optique” ). Studies were carried out in relation to neuropsychological and neuroradiological findings.
Cases were divided into four stages according to severity of symptoms. STAGE I : In the most severe cases, a disorder was noted in grasping objects in the central visual field ( “optische Ataxie” ), with “ataxie optique” in the peripheral visual field. STAGE II : In the next most severe cases, difficulties were observed in grasping objects in the peripheral visual field—both the peripheral visual field for the hand opposite to the lesion and the unilateral peripheral visual field for the other hand. STAGE III : In milder cases, a disorder was seen in grasping objects in the unilateral peripheral visual field by both hands. STAGE IV : In the mildest cases, a disorder existed in grasping objects in the unilateral peripheral visual field by unilateral hand. The lesion responsible for optic ataxia is indicated in the parieto-occipital junction area by CT. From these studies, it can be said that grasping of an object in the unilateral peripheral visual field by the hand on the contralateral side indicates a lesion of the major forceps.
