Vision Problems Following Stroke: New European Recommendations for Care
More than 60% of individuals who experience a stroke similarly develop vision problems, yet only 20% receive specialized rehabilitation, according to recent studies. This highlights a significant gap in post-stroke care, as visual disturbances can profoundly impact a patient’s quality of life and recovery.
A stroke can disrupt the connection between the eye and the brain, altering how a person perceives the world. These changes can occur even when other functions appear intact, and some visual impairments may initially go unnoticed during routine medical evaluations.
The types of vision problems following a stroke are diverse. Some individuals may experience a loss of vision in one half of their visual field, known as hemianopsia. Others may encounter blurred vision, distorted perception, or difficulty with eye movements. A condition called visual neglect can also occur, where a person is unaware of stimuli on one side of their environment.
It’s important to understand that these vision problems aren’t typically caused by damage to the eye itself. Instead, they stem from damage to areas of the brain that control eye muscles and process visual information, such as the occipital lobe and visual cortex. This can affect both the control of eye muscles, leading to issues like double vision and coordination problems, and the brain’s ability to interpret visual signals.
Effective recovery depends on the specific type of visual impairment, the speed of diagnosis and intervention, and a personalized treatment plan. Rehabilitation methods are available to help patients regain visual function and adapt to any lasting changes.
Understanding the mechanisms behind these disturbances and recognizing the early signs of visual impairment are crucial for ensuring appropriate and timely care.
For more information on visual disturbances after stroke, see identifying visual disturbances after a stroke and recovering vision after a stroke.
An accident vascular cerebral (AVC) never strikes the same way twice, but often leaves vision impaired. According to Planete sante, an AVC is the consequence of a lack of blood supply to the brain tissues, due to the obstruction or rupture of a vessel.
