Visual impairments are a common problem after a stroke, and can have a significant impact on a person's daily life. These impairments can range from partial or complete loss of vision in one or both eyes, to difficulty in processing visual information, double vision, and even visual hallucinations.
Let me just mention few common problems.
One of the most common visual impairments after a stroke is visual field loss, which refers to a loss of vision in one or both eyes. This can affect the central vision, peripheral vision, or both. In some cases, a person may experience hemianopia, which is a loss of vision on one side of the visual field. This can make it difficult to navigate through the environment, and can lead to accidents and falls.
Another common visual impairment after a stroke is visual processing problems. This can lead to difficulty in recognizing objects or faces, and reading can become a challenging task. A person may also experience diplopia or double vision, which can make it difficult to focus on objects.
Visual-spatial neglect is another visual impairment that can occur after a stroke. This refers to a lack of awareness of one side of the body or environment. For example, a person with visual-spatial neglect may not be aware of objects on the left side of their body, which can lead to difficulties in activities of daily living such as dressing and grooming.
Photophobia, or increased sensitivity to light, can also be a problem after a stroke. This can cause discomfort and pain, and can lead to avoidance of light sources.
Finally, visual hallucinations can occur after a stroke. These refer to seeing things that are not actually present, and can be distressing for the person experiencing them.
Unfortunetely visual impairments after a stroke can significantly impact a person's quality of life, and can make it difficult to perform daily activities. However, rehabilitation programs and assistive devices can be helpful in managing these impairments.
Where to seek help when you or your family member expierience problems with vision?
Here are some charities in the UK that work with people with visual impairments:
Focus Birmingham is based in Birmingham and supports people with visual impairments in the surrounding areas. Their website is https://www.focusbirmingham.org.uk/.
RNIB (Royal National Institute of Blind People) - provides a range of services and support for blind and partially sighted people, including rehabilitation and training, employment support, and information and advice. Website: https://www.rnib.org.uk/
Guide Dogs - provides guide dogs and mobility training to help people with visual impairments get around safely and independently. Website: https://www.guidedogs.org.uk/
Thomas Pocklington Trust - supports people with sight loss to live the life they choose, by providing housing, employment support, assistive technology, and other services. Website: https://www.pocklington-trust.org.uk/
Sight Scotland - provides support and services for people with visual impairments in Scotland, including rehabilitation and training, employment support, and information and advice. Website: https://sightscotland.org.uk/
Blind Veterans UK - provides support and services to blind and partially sighted veterans, including rehabilitation and training, and social and emotional support. Website: https://www.blindveterans.org.uk/
Action for Blind People - provides a range of services and support for blind and partially sighted people, including employment support, technology advice, and emotional and practical support. Website: https://www.actionforblindpeople.org.uk/
Deafblind UK - provides support and services for people who are both deaf and blind, including rehabilitation and training, social and emotional support, and information and advice. Website: https://deafblind.org.uk/
British Wireless for the Blind Fund - provides specially adapted radios and audio equipment to blind and partially sighted people across the UK. Website: https://www.blind.org.uk/
Vista - provides support and services for people with visual impairments in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland, including rehabilitation and training, social and emotional support, and information and advice. Website: https://www.vistablind.org.uk/
SeeAbility - provides specialist support and services for people with learning disabilities and visual impairments, including rehabilitation and training, and social and emotional support. Website: https://www.seeability.org/
Macular Society - provides information, advice, and support for people with macular degeneration, a common cause of visual impairment in older adults. Website: https://www.macularsociety.org/
Vision UK - a collaboration of organisations working together to improve eye health and prevent avoidable sight loss in the UK. Website: https://www.visionuk.org.uk/
International Glaucoma Association - provides information, advice, and support for people with glaucoma, a common cause of visual impairment and blindness. Website: https://www.glaucoma-association.com/
BlindAid - provides support and services for blind and partially sighted people living in London, including rehabilitation and training, and practical and emotional support. Website: https://www.blindaid.org.uk/
Guideposts - provides support and services for people with visual impairments and other disabilities, including rehabilitation and training, and social and emotional support. Website: https://www.guideposts.org.uk/
Blindness Learning In Disability (BLIND) - provides information, advice, and support for people with visual impairments and learning disabilities. Website: http://www.blind.org.uk/
Talking Newspapers Association of the UK - provides audio recordings of newspapers and other printed material for blind and partially sighted people across the UK. Website: https://tnauk.org.uk/
Sense - provides support and services for people with complex disabilities, including those who are deafblind, to help them communicate and live more independently. Website: https://www.sense.org.uk/
The Partially Sighted Society - provides information, advice, and support for people with partial sight, to help them maximise their remaining vision and live independently. Website: https://www.partsight.org.uk/
References:
Rowe, F. J. (2013). Visual impairment following stroke. European Journal of Neurology, 20(1), 77-84.
Zhang, X., Kedar, S., Lynn, M. J., Newman, N. J., & Biousse, V. (2006). Homonymous hemianopias: clinical-anatomic correlations in 904 cases. Neurology, 66(6), 906-910.
Buxbaum, L. J., Ferraro, M. K., Veramonti, T., Farne, A., Whyte, J., Ladavas, E., & Frassinetti, F. (2004). Hemispatial neglect: subtypes, neuroanatomy, and disability. Neurology, 62(5), 749-756.
Peiffer, C., Poli, M., Jung, J., Marie, C., & Tillon, B. (2009). Sensitivity to light after stroke: a case report. Topics in Stroke Rehabilitation, 16(3), 206-212.
Tang-Wai, D. F., & Graff-Radford, N. R. (2009). Visual hallucinations in dementia. Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry and Neurology, 22(1), 15-21.
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