Who sees visual impairment following stroke?

Abstract

Introduction: The aims of this survey were to determine the extent of orthoptic involvement in stroke services throughout the United Kingdom and what constitutes a vision assessment.

Methods: A non-validated questionnaire was sent to 134 orthoptic departments in the United Kingdom asking information on stroke services in their trusts and provision of orthoptic input and vision assessments in these services.

Results: A return rate of 42% was achieved. Sixty-two percent of departments were aware of adherence to the National Service Framework for Older Persons in their trusts and its section on stroke services. Fifty-five percent of trusts with stroke services confirmed that a vision assessment was provided by either orthoptists, occupational therapists, physicians, or nurses. Only orthoptic led screening provided quantitative assessment of visual acuity, ocular motility and visual fields.

Conclusions: Forty-five percent of stroke services provided no formal vision assessment for stroke patients. Of those providing vision assessment, 15% were basic qualitative assessments.