The representation of the field of vision in the human striate cortex is based on the Holmes map in which about 25% of the surface area of the striate cortex is allocated to the centrallS degrees of vision. Foliowing the introduction of computed tomography of the brain, he accuracy of the Holmes map was apparently confirmed by clinical/radiological correlation, but a revision has been proposed by Horton and Hoyt based on a magnetic resonance imaging study ofthree patients with visual field defects due to striate lesions. They propose that the central cortical representation of vision occupies a much larger area. This study reviews the perimetric and imaging findings in a larger series of patients with striate cortical disease and provides support for the revised representation. The clinical phenomenon of macular sparing and its relation to representation of the macula at the occipital pole is also discussed. (BrJ Ophthalmol 1994; 78: 185-190)