Anton syndrome is a rare condition found in people who have lost their vision after brain damage to theoccipitallobes.

The main characteristic of Anton syndrome is that these patients do not realize that they are blind.

It occurs most often in patients who have had anoccipital stroke.

Elderly woman looking out window

ColorBlind Images / Dan Pangbourne / Getty Images

However, Anton syndrome can also be a complication of other diseases that impact the brain.

This article provides more information about the symptoms, causes, diagnosis, and treatment of Anton syndrome.

They will act as though they are not actually blind.

They would act as though that was the correct answer, even if they are wrong.

Even though this behavior may seem puzzling, they believe they are correct.

Their brain is simply unable to figure out that they are blind.

The occipital lobe allows you to see as well as interpret what you’re seeing.

One of the main causes of Anton syndrome is astroke.

When any part of the brain is deprived of oxygen, brain cells in that area begin to die.

“Cortical” refers to damage in the brain’s surface layers in the occipital lobe.

When damage to the occipital lobe causes blindness, it could also result in Anton syndrome.

However, Anton syndrome is considered a rare condition.

It’s unknown exactly how Anton syndrome develops, however, often there is a history of cognitive impairment.

That may cause the lack of awareness of their blindness.

They may see if your eyes can follow a light.

They’ll talk to you about your sight to get a sense of your awareness of your vision loss.

Tests may include a headcomputed tomography (CT) scanormagnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Treatment

Treatment for Anton syndrome will depend on what caused the damage to the occipital lobe.

This may include intravenous methylprednisolone.

In some cases, vision may improve with treatment.

This often depends on the patient’s age and health condition.

Treatment focuses on the condition that caused the damage to the brain.

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