Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42417597›Full record

SynthesisTranslational vision science & technology2026

Balance Performance in People With Peripheral Visual Field Loss: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Peng Yi Hong, Jia Shu Wen, Chan Marco Lok Hin, Stanley Winser, Mark Oremus, Benjamin Thompson, Cheong Allen Ming Yan

Abstract readSystematic ReviewMeta-Analysis
In one paragraph

Synthesis in Translational vision science & technology, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

7 authors.

Peng Yi HongSchool of Optometry, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, HKSAR.
Jia Shu WenSchool of Optometry, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, HKSAR.
Chan Marco Lok HinSchool of Optometry, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, HKSAR.
Stanley WinserDepartment of Rehabilitation Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, HKSAR.
Mark OremusSchool of Public Health Science, University of Waterloo, Canada.
Benjamin ThompsonSchool of Optometry and Vision Science, University of Waterloo, Canada.
Cheong Allen Ming YanSchool of Optometry, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, HKSAR.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Background: Although peripheral visual field loss (PVFL) affects balance, previous research has produced mixed results and has not clearly distinguished the independent roles of different systems in balance impairment. This systematic review with meta-analysis is the first to comprehensively evaluate the proportion and contribution of different systems to balance in adults with PVFL, providing new insights for rehabilitation strategies. Methods: A systematic search was performed in five databases (PubMed, AMED, Scopus, CINAHL, and Web of Science) from 2003 to 2023, with a manual search covering 2024 to 2025. The review focused on observational studies in adults (≥18 years) with PVFL because of glaucoma or retinitis pigmentosa. Data were synthesized by summarizing the balance function into two aspects: sensory strategy and motor strategy. The sensory strategy was defined as the motor response to changes in altering visual, vestibular, or somatosensory inputs to maintain balance, whereas the motor strategy was defined as the response to other conditions besides visual, vestibular, or somatosensory conditions, such as response to external perturbation, muscle coordination, and reaction time. The meta-analysis was conducted where appropriate. Results: Seventeen studies comprising a total of 2456 participants were analyzed. The meta-analysis revealed that individuals with PVFL exhibited poorer balance than age-matched controls. Specifically, PVFL was associated with a reduced contribution from the visual system, an increased contribution from the somatosensory system, and poorer motor strategies in maintaining balance. Greater peripheral visual field loss correlated with poorer sensory strategy for balance, whereas the relationship between motor strategy and peripheral visual field loss remained inconclusive. Conclusions: Adults with PVFL demonstrate significant balance impairments compared to healthy peers, relying more on somatosensory input to compensate for visual deficits. These findings underscore the need for comprehensive balance assessments and targeted rehabilitation strategies. Further research should focus on identifying the most predictive balance parameters and developing targeted, evidence-based rehabilitation strategies for this population. Translational Relevance: By identifying the specific sensory-motor mechanisms of balance impairment in patients with PVFL, this study bridges the gap between clinical vision assessment and rehabilitation. The finding that these patients rely heavily on somatosensory compensation provides a strong clinical rationale to transition from generic balance exercises to personalized, targeted rehabilitation strategies (such as proprioceptive and motor-strategy training), ultimately reducing fall risks and improving mobility in patients with PVFL.

Indexed as

Postural BalanceVisual FieldsHumansRetinitis Pigmentosa

Identifiers

PMID42417597
PMCPMC13355389

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.