What help is available for visual neglect and peripheral vision loss? How do you cope with this?
Hi Jean,
Many people are left with problems with their vision following a stroke, with up to two-thirds of people affected. These problems include central vision loss where the centre of your visual field is affected or eye movement problems which can affect the way you control your eyes.
Like other effects of stroke, visual difficulties can improve over time. There are also various treatments which may help too; an orthoptist or an ophthalmologist can talk to you about any suitable options.
Here's a link to a copy of our leaflet Visual problems after stroke which contains further information: https://www.stroke.org.uk/resources/visual-problems-after-stroke
One organisation which might be able to help is RNIB (Royal National Institute of Blind People). They can provide advice and support to anyone affected by some type of sight loss. Their website is http://.www.rnib.org.uk.
Alternatively, the Partially Sighted Society may have some advice, and their website is http://www.partsight.org.uk. They have a helpline, and they can also provide information about training for anybody with a visual impairment.
Some of our other My Stroke Guide contributors may have some experience they can share with you. However, you are always welcome to call our Stroke Helpline, who also offer support. The Stroke Helpline is open Monday, Thursday and Friday from 9.00am to 5.00pm, Tuesday and Wednesday from 8.00am to 6.00pm and Saturday from 10.00am to 1.00pm. The helpline number is 0303 30 33 100. You can also email them at helpline@stroke.org.uk.
Hope this is all quite helpful.
Andrew
Thanks Andrew, I already have your leaflet about sight loss. We are in touch with RNIB and Camsifht and had a Sensory Assessment today and have another part of it next week. They have suggested reading with a ruler and following a finger on the ruler to the end, and when walking around the home touching items in the way with his and hand. He did both of these with the assessor and as soon as they left he went straight back to his old ways!!!