Loss of visual cortex and its consequences for residual vision

© 2020 Elsevier Ltd Humans rely heavily on their sense of vision to navigate around the world, and this reliance is reflected in the large proportion of the cerebral cortex dedicated to processing visual information. If visual cortex is damaged by a stroke or trauma, the person may be left unable to see half of the visual world. Nonetheless, many people are still able to determine some information about visual stimuli presented within this ‘blind’ region (‘blindsight’), an ability that it may be possible to boost through rehabilitation. This review considers the different types of residual vision that have been identified, and the pathways able to take information from the eyes to the brain avoiding affected areas. While current rehabilitation approaches lead to some improvement in visual performance, it is nowhere near the level of healthy vision. I conclude that the way forward is an individualised approach using visual stimulation that activates intact pathways.