Even though we have a massive amount of understanding about most of the natural world around us, much of the information about our own brains and their functions remain a mystery. Of course, when we talk about any organ which is as complex and crucially important as the brain, it becomes of paramount importance that we are able to properly diagnose and treat various disorders of the brain. However, the brain is a particularly difficult organ to diagnose, as a disorder or accident can affectively destroy one area of the mind while leaving other areas almost entirely untouched. Thankfully, there are those who specialize in treating different problems that arise in the brain. For example, if we had the case of a patient who were to lose certain components of his or her vision as a result of brain damage, different methods would exist to identify methods to help discover treatment methods based around the disorder and perhaps even identify fields in which the patient could learn to work again.
When we are speaking about damage to the occipital lobe of a patient, than there are a variety of factors to consider before starting treatment. First, what are the symptoms of the disorder? In the case of a patient who can tell basic shapes and detail, but not recognize whole objects or discern what different pictures were in reality, it seems that there would be definite damage done to the occipital lobe. However, it is also important to realize what is not the problem. In order to identify what the problem is, one of the first things to do is to identify what the problem isn’t. In a case such as this, due to the recognition of various colors and the ability to see the way around, we can figure out that there is no actual damage done to the eyes. We can also rule out a problem with different neurochemicals, as it would take a very strange combination of those chemicals, in just the precise amounts to do such damage only to the occipital lobe and not to other areas of the brain. Thus, after examining different options for the patient, the most probable and likely cause is that due to a cut off of the oxygen supply to the brain, which is paramount in the occipital lobes, certain brain cells in that area died off and are no longer able to function.
Now that we are aware of the problem, we must consider whether or not there are any ways to treat the patient and work around those problems. Therapy is definitely possible for individuals who have such damage to the brain, although it is unlikely that major progress could be made, as the parts of the brain that are directly responsible for the vision difficulties are already dead. However, perhaps some possible methods of therapy would include “teaching” the patient to work with the vision that he does have, and doing closer and mores specific tests to find out the capacity that he has remaining for certain tasks and with certain visuals. By recognizing some of the particular difficulties that the patient is experiencing, different methods could be devised from there to teach the patient how to recognize whatever he may be looking at. Keep in mind that the patient is not incapable of surviving in the world, and is perfectly capable of finding his way around, can avoid obstacles, but may not be able to recognize what those obstacle are. There is no doubt that such treatment would take a very long time, but is possible that the patient would be able to work around his disability, and perhaps regain some of the stamina and drive he lost with the accident.
With effective therapy, it may even be possible that such a patient could someday re enter the workforce. However, in order for this to happen, the patient would have to find a field where he or she is able to work without endangering him or herself or anyone else in the workplace. Perhaps it would be possible that the patient could be used to do more basic jobs, or jobs that do not require specific detailed vision. Remember that even the totally blind are able to find jobs, and it would just be a matter of training the individual to use the vision that he has.
As complicated as the brain is, and as difficult as it can be to help patients who encounter damages in their occipital lobe, treatment methods do exist, and it is important that we do not give up hope when we treat patients. With hard work and creative testing and treatment methods, it is very possible that the patient will be able to lead a normal life, and it may even be possible for the patient to re enter the workforce one day. As understanding about the brain and it’s function increases, it is very likely that problems such as these will not cause as many issues with treatment as they do now. However, until that day arrives, we must work with the technology and the information that we do have to improve the lives of those everywhere; a daunting task, but one well worth it.
