Date Presented 4/21/2018
Visual concerns of stroke survivors and caregivers in this study were eye movement problems, perceptual issues, and consequences of these problems or issues. Stroke survivors need a thorough vision evaluation to avert a decrease in their independence in everyday activities.
Primary Author and Speaker: Theresa Smith
Additional Authors and Speakers: Timothy Reistetter
Contributing Authors: Monique Pappadis, Shilpa Krishman
PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to explore the poststroke visual concerns expressed by stroke survivors and caregivers. Annually, approximately 800,000 people in the United States have a stroke. Up to two-thirds of stroke survivors have some visual problems, which result in disability and can affect survivors’ overall rehabilitation outcomes. Although some poststroke visual impairments can be easily corrected and respond well to intervention, ocular signs can be subtle and may not be recognized or reported by the patient but rather by a vigilant caregiver.
METHOD: In this qualitative study, we administered semistructured interviews to participants recruited using convenience and snowball sampling techniques. Of the 65 participants (41 stroke survivors and 24 caregivers) from a larger study, 19 (11 stroke survivors and 8 caregivers) expressed themes or concepts related to vision. Interviews were conducted in person, recorded, and transcribed verbatim. Comparative content analysis was used to identify vision-related themes by two independent coders from a total of three researchers. All research team members completed quality checking of coding.
RESULTS: Visual concerns acknowledged by stroke survivors and caregivers were eye movement problems, perceptual issues, and consequences from these problems or issues. Stroke survivors and caregivers used eye care providers including eye doctors, occupational therapists, and others to treat the identified visual concerns.
CONCLUSION: All vision care providers need to be observant for potential poststroke visual concerns. Stroke survivors need a thorough vision evaluation to assess their visual acuity, eye motility, visual fields, and visual perception to avert a decrease in their independence in everyday activities and quality of life.
IMPACT STATEMENT: Results of this study suggest that visual concerns of stroke survivors need to be addressed throughout the continuum of care and that eye care providers must refer stroke survivors to other eye care providers needed at each patient’s stage of rehabilitation. This study aligns with the American Occupational Therapy Association research priority to increase and accelerate the adoption and application of science-driven, evidence-based practices that lead to better client outcomes by bringing visual concerns of stroke survivors and caregivers to light.
References
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