Stroke (CVA)

A stroke (cerebral accident — CVA) can do more than impact movement and speech — it can also affect your vision. The teams at DeyeNAMICS in California, Connecticut, Iowa, and Texas, understand that many stroke survivors experience visual problems like double vision, blurred vision, or difficulty seeing one side of their surroundings. They have the expertise and experience to help stroke patients improve their vision. Call for an appointment today or book online now to take the first step toward finding solutions that can help improve daily life.

What is a stroke (cerebral accident — CVA)?

A stroke occurs when blood flow to a part of the brain is interrupted, leading to brain cell death due to lack of oxygen and nutrients. The two main types of strokes include ischemic (caused by a blockage, such as a blood clot, in an artery) and hemorrhagic (caused by bleeding in the brain due to a ruptured blood vessel). Both damage the brain, leading to various physical and cognitive impairments.

What causes a stroke (cerebral accident — CVA)?

An ischemic stroke is typically caused by blood clots that form in the brain’s blood vessels or travel from another part of the body (e.g., the heart). It can also be caused by atherosclerosis, where plaque buildup narrows or blocks arteries.

A hemorrhagic stroke can occur because of aneurysms, which are weakened areas of blood vessels that can rupture, high blood pressure weakening blood vessels over time, or trauma or blood-thinning medications that increase bleeding risks.

How does a stroke (cerebral accident — CVA) affect vision?

Vision issues are common after a stroke because certain areas of the brain, especially the occipital lobe, process visual information. Stroke survivors may experience various types of visual impairments, including:

• Hemianopia: Partial loss of vision in one or both eyes, often on the same side of both eyes, leaving them unable to see things on the affected side (field of vision loss)
• Blurred vision or difficulty focusing
• Double vision (diplopia) due to weakened eye muscles or nerve damage
• Visual neglect, where the brain ignores visual input from one side

The DeyeNAMICS team has the expertise to help improve vision after a stroke.

How are vision issues treated after a stroke (cerebral accident — CVA)?

At DeyeNAMICS, vision rehabilitation after a stroke may involve:

• Vision therapy: to improve focus, eye coordination, and eye movements
• Prism glasses: to help shift images into the functional visual field
• Occupational therapy: to help patients adapt to visual impairments in daily life, teaching techniques for navigating the environment safely
• Eye patches: to treat double vision by covering one eye
• Neuro-Visual Postural Therapy™ (NVPT): to address visual and postural imbalances that often result from neurological damage

For some individuals, partial vision recovery may occur over time as the brain heals. Still, treatment is essential to help stroke survivors regain as much function as possible and improve their quality of life.

Learn more by calling today or booking an appointment online.