Visual field deficits following anterior temporal lobectomy: long-term follow-up and prognostic implications.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to assess the incidence of mild (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.