Visual field defects in children with brain tumors

Abstract

Introduction: Visual field defects (VFDs) are detected in up to 25% of children with brain tumors and early identification of VFDs is crucial for timely treatment and vision preservation. This study investigated the frequency and associated factors of preoperative VFDs in pediatric brain tumor patients. Methods: Medical records from 485 children diagnosed with brain tumors in Denmark from 2007 to 2017 were reviewed. Data on demographics, tumor characteristics, and clinical findings, including general and ophthalmic symptoms were collected. Results: Of 485 patients, 198 (41%) underwent visual field testing prior to surgery; 51 (26%) had VFDs. Children with VFDs experienced poor vision to a higher extent than children with normal visual fields (39% vs. 15%, p