Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
. 2024 May 14;24(1):626.
doi: 10.1186/s12913-024-11079-9.

Perceptions of vision care following neurological impairment: a qualitative study

Kerry Hanna  1 , Elizabeth Lomas  2 , Stephen Rimmer  3 , Fiona Rowe  4
Affiliations

Perceptions of vision care following neurological impairment: a qualitative study

Kerry Hanna et al. BMC Health Serv Res. .

Abstract

Background: Visual impairment is a common consequence of neurological impairments, and can impact a person's ability to undertake everyday tasks, affecting their confidence and mental health. Previous qualitative research in the UK has shown inequalities to exist where patients are accessing vision care after stroke, but little is known around the experiences of accessing vision care following other neurological impairments, and a lack of national guidelines prevent standardised care planning. The aim of this qualitative study is to explore the perceptions of vision care after neurological impairment, and to identify possible inequalities and support mechanisms, where it has been possible to access vision care.

Methods: University ethical approval was obtained, and adults with a visual impairment as a result of a neurological impairment were offered an in-depth interview to explore their vision care experiences. Data were collected between April and November 2021 and analysed using iterative, thematic analysis (TA), informed by a social constructionist ideology.

Results: Seventeen participants were recruited. Three overarching themes were conceptualised in relation to the participants' perception of vision care: Making sense of the visual impairment; The responsibility of vision care; and Influential factors in care quality perception.

Conclusion: Inequalities were noted by participants, with most reporting a lack of suitable vision care offered as part of their neurological rehabilitation. Participants were thus burdened with the task of seeking their own support online, and encountered inaccurate and worrying information in the process. Participants noted changes in their identity, and the identity of their family carers, as they adjusted to their vision loss. The findings from this research highlight a need for clinicians to consider the long-term impact of vision loss after neurological impairment, and ensure patients are provided with adequate support and information, and appropriate referral pathways, alleviating this patient burden.

Keywords: Inequalities; Loss; Neurological impairment; Qualitative; Vision care; Visual impairment.

PubMed Disclaimer

Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no competing interests.

References

    1. Bruns J, Jr, Hauser WA. The epidemiology of traumatic brain injury: a review. Epilepsia. 2003;44:2–10. doi: 10.1046/j.1528-1157.44.s10.3.x. - DOI - PubMed
    1. Goodrich GL, Kirby J, Cockerham G, Ingalla SP, Lew HL. Visual function in patients of a polytrauma rehabilitation center: a descriptive study. J Rehabilitation Res Dev. 2007;44(7). - PubMed
    1. Theis J. Visual disturbances in acquired brain injury. NeuroRehabilitation. 2022. - PubMed
    1. Berthold-Lindstedt M, Ygge J, Borg K. Visual dysfunction is underestimated in patients with acquired brain injury. J Rehabil Med. 2017;49(4):327–32. doi: 10.2340/16501977-2218. - DOI - PubMed
    1. Jasse L, Vukusic S, Durand-Dubief F, Vartin C, Piras C, Bernard M et al. Persistent visual impairment in multiple sclerosis: prevalence, mechanisms and resulting disability. Multiple Sclerosis Journal. 2013;19(12):1618 – 26.10.1177/1352458513479840. - PubMed