The purpose of this study was to investigate the frequency and type of visual symptoms following stroke and evaluate what certain factors were associated with the absence of visual symptoms. This was a prospective, multi-centre, observation cohort study with 915 recruited patients; 59% male and mean age of 69 years (SD 14). Visual symptoms were reported by 84% (766) either as sole symptoms (56%) or combined as two or more visual symptoms (28%). Visual field loss was reported by 45%, blurred vision by 31%, reading difficulty by 19.5% and diplopia by 19%. Fifty patients had normal ocular examination despite reporting visual symptoms initially but these may have recovered by the time of examination. Sixteen percent (149) were visually asymptomatic: 22 with a normal ocular examination and 32 with aphasia. The authors conclude the presence or absence of visual symptoms does not infer absence or presence of visual impairment and may relate to recovery of visual impairment, visual impairment of mild extent and / or no visual consequence, inattention to the visual impairment or cognitive / communication impairment.
Stroke-vision symptoms
Reviewed by Fiona Rowe
Symptoms of stroke-related visual impairment.
CONTRIBUTOR
Fiona Rowe (Prof)
Institute of Population Health, University of Liverpool, UK.
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