Improving outcome in stroke patients with visual problems

Background: stroke is a common condition, frequently with significant effects on a patient’s ability to live an active and independent life. Anything that may potentially have a beneficial effect on the rehabilitation of such patients should therefore be explored, and as ocular and visual problems are common in patients with stroke, it is important that their implications are understood. Objective: this article aims at providing a broad overview of the literature relating to visual problems in stroke patients, looking particularly at the impact on, and the potential for, recovery and rehabilitation. Methods: the online database PubMed was searched for literature relating to visual and ocular problems in stroke. The resulting abstracts and articles were then reviewed to extract clinically relevant information. Findings are summarised and discussed. Conclusions: visual problems in stroke are associated with problems with activities of daily living (ADL), falls and rehabilitation. Because many visual problems are easily corrected or improve with intervention, there may be a role for formal screening for visual problems in stroke patients in a rehabilitation setting. The orthoptist has an important role to play in stroke rehabilitation, and links between the stroke and orthoptic departments should be established in all units.