Approximately 66 percent of stroke survivors experience changes in their vision after a stroke, with partial blindness and perception difficulties being the two most common types of associated impairments. Here’s some information on these types of stroke-related vision impairment, their treatments, and the steps your aging loved one can take to prevent them.
Partial Blindness
Rather than complete blindness, vision loss following a stroke is typically partial and results in conditions such as:
- Hemianopia – When this condition develops, half the visual field is lost
- Quadrantanopia – Blindness occurs in one quarter of the visual field
- Scotoma – The area of blindness resembles a small island
- Tunnel vision – The outer half of each eye is blind, eliminating peripheral vision
Stroke recovery can be a long and challenging process. If your senior loved one has been diagnosed with a serious condition and needs help with tasks like meal prep, transportation, bathing, and grooming, reach out to Home Care Assistance, a leading provider of at-home care families can trust. We also offer comprehensive care for seniors with dementia, Alzheimer’s, and Parkinson’s.
Perception Difficulties
The changes in vision that occur after a stroke can alter a senior’s perception and may include:
- Double vision – The senior sees two images of one object
- Visual midline shift – The center point of vision moves off to the side, causing seniors to tilt their bodies to the left or right, which can lead to dizziness
- Visual neglect – When this occurs, seniors ignore objects in half of their visual fields, and eating food from half of their plates or shaving half of their faces isn’t uncommon
- Agnosia – Damage to the brain prevents seniors from recognizing common objects
Treatment
While receiving stroke care, your loved one will likely also be receiving some type of post-stroke therapy focused on expanding his or her visual field. An ophthalmologist can design and oversee your loved one’s treatment, which may include:
- Optical therapy – Mirrors and prisms move images from the blind area to the sighted side
- Eye movement therapy – Eye muscles are trained to compensate for lost vision by moving only within the sighted field, which enhances reading abilities and speed of perception
- Visual restoration therapy – Light is used to stimulate the edge of the blind field and activate partially functional nerve cells
Stroke is just one of the many medical conditions older adults are susceptible to. There are a variety of age-related health conditions that can make it more challenging for seniors to live independently. However, many of the challenges they face can be easier to manage if their families opt for professional homecare. Carmichael families can rely on expertly trained caregivers to keep their loved ones safe and comfortable while aging in place.
Stroke Prevention
Because these types of vision impairment are directly related to experiencing strokes, seniors should take measures to prevent strokes. A few of the steps your loved one can take to reduce the risk include:
- Maintaining normal blood pressure
- Exercising three times a week
- Avoiding smoking and drinking alcohol
- Keeping blood sugar stable
- Eating a healthy diet
- Losing excess weight
The most important disease prevention strategy is obtaining eye exams every six months. An ophthalmologist can identify the pathology and begin early treatment. Evaluation involves a painless dilation of the eyes so the doctor can visualize interior structures.
Recovering from a stroke can make it difficult to manage daily tasks independently. If your aging loved one needs occasional help with bathing, grooming, cooking, or other basic household tasks, or if you need time to attend to important personal matters, reach out to Home Care Assistance, a leading provider of live-in and respite care. Carmichael seniors can maintain their independence while living at home with the help of our reliable respite caregivers. For high-quality in-home care services, contact us at (916) 485-4663 today.