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Home > Education and Resources > Vision Loss

Vision Loss from Stroke

Imagine only being able to see the right side of your dinner plate, your television or the face of someone you love. This is the most common symptom of hemianopia, a form of stroke that damages the optic pathways in the brain.

A stroke occurs when there is a disruption of blood flow in the brain. The effects of stroke depend on the part of the brain that is affected, and can include impaired body movement, speech or sensory function.

The most common form of hemianopia blanks the right field of view in both eyes. But other forms of the disease can block vision on the left side, upper or lower half, or even both outer halves of the field of view. Other symptoms can include decreased night vision and the need for more light.

Patients with vision loss from stroke can utilize vision rehabilitation to manage it.

One strategy is to employ a prism in the patient's eyeglasses to shift the field of view. Many patients also benefit from a rehabilitation program that teaches awareness of peripheral vision and the use of assistive devices such as a reading guide to help the patient find the edge of the printed column.

Other stroke-related symptoms, such as the tendency of a patient to veer or lean in one direction while walking, may be attributed to changes in vision from the stroke. In these cases, a vision rehabilitation program can help the patient manage the symptoms.

Risk factors for stroke include high blood pressure, hypertension, diabetes, excess weight, excess salt intake, smoking and a sedentary lifestyle. To minimize risk, individuals should develop a healthy lifestyle that includes moderate physical activity, a diet low in fat and salt, management of diabetes and no smoking.