| Sumario: | Background: Post-stroke vision disorders can significantly affect recovery and quality of life for many patients, affecting mobility, perception, communication, and independent function. As improvements in medical intervention increase life expectancy, the need to identify factors that will inhibit recovery and to address those needs through medical and rehabilitative treatment becomes more significant. Methods: A survey of 200 stroke patients at an acute in-patient rehabilitation hospital demonstrated the prevalence of vision disorders in this population. These patients are believed to be a representative sample of stroke patients requiring long-term rehabilitative care. Patients with catastrophic brain damage, immediate or uncomplicated recovery, or death are not represented in this sample. Vision evaluations were performed on patients, and results were reported to the physiatrists and rehabilitation therapists, with the goal of enhancing the efficacy of therapeutic intervention. Results: When tabulated, these results demonstrated a high prevalence of vision disorders secondary to stroke, including binocular vision disorders, strabismus, ocular motor disorders, visual field loss, and extra-ocular muscle paralysis. Refractive correction was not included as a vision disorder due to the ease and accessibility of prescription lenses. Over 95% of the patients in this study were found to have vision disorders that could potentially impact their recovery. Conclusion: These findings suggest that all stroke patients should have an appropriate vision evaluation to detect and to correct post-stroke vision disorders.
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