This pathway and referral process has been developed to meet the needs of those with vision changes post-stroke. Visual problems that go undetected can interfere with a person’s rehabilitation, cause difficulties in their daily activities and increase their risk of falls.
Visual changes post-stroke
Changes in vision frequently occur following a stroke. These may take the form of low vision, change in eye movement, visual field impairment and /or perceptual deficits. They can be distressing and delay rehabilitation and it is important that vision assessment is carried out promptly.
RCP Stroke Guideline (2016) Section 4.17 recommends;
People with stroke should be: ‒ assessed for visual acuity whilst wearing the appropriate glasses to check their ability to read newspaper text and see distant objects clearly; ‒ examined for the presence of visual field deficit (e.g. hemianopia) and eye movement 87 disorders (e.g. strabismus and motility deficit).
And:
People with altered vision, visual field defects or eye movement disorders after stroke should receive information, support and advice from an orthoptist and/or an ophthalmologist.