Visual Disturbances After a Stroke

Yes I certainly experienced sight disturbances post stroke. Blurry sight unable to read daily paper without.specs. That was unusual. As I have recovered so has my sight. My eyes cannot cope with bright sunlight so need sunglasses whenever outdoors.   JENNY

Hi Kaz,

We are sorry to hear about your brother having a stroke and vision changes. Approximately one third of stroke survivors experience vision changes after stroke. You will find more information, resources and previous forum conversations on this topic here:

https://enableme.org.au/resources/sensory-changes

The type of vision loss experienced depends on the location of the stroke. You can read more about it here: Vision loss after stroke. 

If you have further questions don't hesitate to call and speak to a health professional on StrokeLine on 1800 787 653 (Mon-Fri 9am-5pm AEST).

Best wishes,

Simone - StrokeLine

I had 2 strokes in February 2012, my eyesight was always dodgey, but deteriorated markedly after my strokes to the point where I can no longer read, not even a magazine (fun when you are in hospital for months) the hospital I was at sent me to the eye clinic at Westmead Hospital in Sydney, after 4 lots of surgery there were nerves cut on the right side of my face and I could not feel that side and still can't, this led to corneal ulcers from a reduced ability to blink and get rid of dust and grit in my eye, as I couldn't feel it, I managed to scratch my cornea and it ulcerated, I have since had an operation to partial close the eye by sewing the lids together to protect the eye but it is now scarred and it is like looking through a frosty window all the time. I often wonder if it will ever improve or if I can have that eye closing proceedure reversed, has this ever happened to anyone else? We sadly run a volunteer 2nd hand charity book shop and was previously a prolific reader, so it is torture for me

Hi Michele, 

I survived my brainstem stroke at 24 in 2005. My vision was significantly impacted & definitely deteriorated over the last ten years. I had a gold weight inserted into my right lid to help me with lid closure & prevent the ongoing ulcerations I was getting. I was given the option to have the tarrosophy but decided against it at the time as closing it would only slow the deterioration & I had little sight left anyway in that eye. I too, feel like Im looking through a very very thick frosted glass window;( Unfortunately I don't think there's much that you can do aside from lubricating it so it doesn't dry out. Reversing the procedure I think would only make your eye drier & worsen these symptoms? Hopefully ophthalmology research will change things soon. I really missed reading too but now read 'audio' books & they are way more enjoyable! Have you tried these? Hope all is ok, Em xx

Just to contribute to the topic......My right eye was very painful to the touch and since my control over my right hand was very weak I frequently poked it with my thumb! After 16 months this has significantly improved but the eye still does not like being touched. 

I was reading books within a few days of my stroke but my power of concentration had taken a hit and I did not get much pleasure from it. Obviously my ability to focus had not been affected.

Sensitivity to bright light has been increased and I cannot consider leaving the house without sunglasses.

Deigh

Hi Michele,

I'm sorry to hear about your vision loss and the significant impact that it's having on your quality of life. 

Is reversal of the closing procedure something that you've discussed with your ophthalmologist? I would encourage you to have that conversation and figure out your options for treatment.

Vision Australia may also be able to help. Their number is 1300 84 74 66

They offer a range of services including an audio-book library.

Please don't hesitate to contact us on StrokeLine (1800 7987 653) if we can be of any further assistance.

Best wishes,

Alana

Speech Pathologist for StrokeLine

Hi, had a stroke recently got a blind spot on the left side, mostly in the top hemisphere, so I have some peripheral vision in the lower left and around the outer margins of the left hemisphere.

Does anyone no of a therapy to encourage the brain to "see into" my blind spot?

Don't want coping (scanning type) therapies at the moment. Read there was online resources at www.stroke.org.uk/ etc but the address given by the stroke foundation does not work. (rubbish) also after much searching on the uk site nothing turned up,,,,, I think they are more interested in raising money than running a web site that actually works properly!  am looking for something in the neural plasticity field. hopefully perhaps even a computer program with a visual component (as claimed in the stroke foundation "vision loss after stroke" pamphlet) to annoy me even further..... and hopefully re-wire my brain so that I can be a nice person with sight good enough to drive.