Vision problems after a stroke or brain injury2023-05-19T11:44:20+01:00

Vision problems after a stroke or brain injury

Problems with vision and eye movement are common following a stroke or brain injury.

  • visual field loss
  • reduced vision
  • eye movement problems
  • perceptual problems

You can find out more about these problems in the resources below.

Coronavirus information for stroke survivors

Having a stroke means you are at greater risk of getting complications like pneumonia if you have coronavirus (COVID-19). Everyone is different, and if you have other health conditions, you also need to check how this affects you.

You can find more information on coronavirus for stroke survivors from the Stroke Association here.

How an orthoptist can help

Orthoptists are specialists in diagnosing and treating defects in eye movement and problems with how the eyes work together. Traditionally, they dealt with issues with the muscles around the eyes but problems can also be caused by defects in the nerves that enable the brain to communicate with the eyes. This is common in those who have had a stroke or brain injury.

Assessment and diagnosis: They can undertake an assessment of your vision, visual field and eye movements, providing you, your carers and any other health professionals supporting you with a clear picture of any vision problems you may have developed. They will be able talk this through with you and explain what effect this is likely to have on your ability to undertake everyday activities.

Treatment and Management: They can also assist you providing information and treatments to enable you to manage you vision problems and symptoms. They can provide you with information and advice on strategies to adapt to changes in your vision and visual field, such as reading aids, and advice on visual search techniques. They can also offer advice on the use of prisms or eye patches, or of changes to your head position to compensate for eye movement problems and resulting symptoms, such as double vision.

Orthoptists can help you in your rehabilitation and in maintaining your independence, by assisting you in making the most of your vision and therefore increasing your ability to get around and carry out everyday tasks.

Information and resources for patients

BIOS have produced a series of information leaflets for patients containing information on different conditions and tips for managing the symptoms.

This leaflet provides information about different eye movement problems which can occur after stroke and brain injury. It also offers advice and tips about living with an eye movement problem.

[English]   [Cymraeg]   [English Large Print]   [English East Read]

This leaflet offers advice and useful tips which will aid in the enhancement of residual vision.

[English]     [Cymraeg[English Large Print]   [English Easy Read]

This leaflet provides information about different types of visual field loss, possible signs and symptoms of visual field loss and offers advice and useful tips about living with visual field loss.

[English]     [Cymraeg[English Large Print]

This leaflet provides information about possible signs and symptoms of visual inattention and offers advice and useful tips about living with visual inattention.

[English]     [Cymraeg[English Large Print]

This leaflet provides information about different visual perception defects and offers advice about living with a visual perception defect.

[English]     [Cymraeg]   [English Large Print]   [English Easy Read]

This leaflet provides information on the affect of visual defects on your ability to drive following a stroke or brain injury.

[English]  [English Large Print]

Other resources

  • Web-based therapies: There are now a number of app and web-based activities available, which are designed for visual field loss therapy and visual neglect following stoke. We’ve put together a leaflet introducing some you may find helpful.

    [English]     [English Large Print]
  • The VISION Research Unit at the University of Liverpool have developed a number of resources that are available free of charge to patients and their families / carers. You can access them here.

  • The Stroke Association have information, resources and can provide support to patients and their carer’s. Please follow the link to access.

  • The RNIB provide information and resources to patients and carer’s as well as visual aids that may be useful. Please use the link to access.