Clinical Physiology of the Central Parts of the Visual System

We present here a literature review addressing the structure and function of the central sections of the visual system, starting from the anterior visual pathway, i.e., the optic nerves, chiasm, optic tracts, and lateral geniculate body, and on to the optic radiation and visual cortex, in relation to the clinical manifestations of lesions of these formations. Syndromes due to damage to the central compartments of the visual system depending on the level of lesions are presented. This review presents evidence that acquired descending (retrograde) transsynaptic degeneration of optic fibers, obtained by optical coherence tomography, may occur. Knowledge of the anatomy and functioning of the central compartments of the visual system not only allows the topical characteristics of pathological processes in the brain to be identified, but also supports evaluation of the outcomes of surgical and radiation treatment of patients.