About two thirds of people have vision changes after a stroke. Vision changes can affect your daily life in many ways. You may find it more difficult to do things like reading, shopping, and watching screens. You may also struggle to get around, or need support for returning to work, such as help with travel or new ways of doing your job. It's not always obvious right away how your vision is affecting you, as different practical and emotional difficulties can emerge over time.
The law currently states you cannot drive a car for one month after a stroke. Whether you can return to driving depends on how your stroke has affected you and the vehicle you drive. If your vision is affected, you must get a specialist visual assessment before attempting to return to driving, even if you think your vision has recovered. For some eye conditions, an assessment can find out whether you can go back to driving. To get individual advice about driving with vision problems and find out more information about driving assessments, on the Driving Mobility website or contact your local driving centre:
Leeds - William Merritt Disabled Living Centre. Aire House, 100 Town Street, Rodley, Leeds, LS13 1HP. Telephone 0113 350 8989 / 07858 224510
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Sheffield - William Merritt Centre Sheffield, SOAR Works Enterprise Centre, 14 Knutton Road, Parsons Cross, Sheffield, S5 9NU.
Telephone 0114 303 9030
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York-William Merritt Centre: Westminster Business Centre, 10 Great North Way, Nether Poppleton, York, YO26 6RB
Telephone 0113 350 8989
If you are having problems with your work because of your vision, you can ask your employer to make reasonable adjustments to help you. Information on your rights at work and how to return to employment after a stroke.
The Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) also has advice and resources.
After a stroke, if your vision is affected you should be referred to an orthoptist or ophthalmologist specialising in stroke and brain injury. They can assess you and arrange treatment for altered vision, double vision or visual field loss. Ideally, this should happen before you leave hospital, as visual problems can affect daily life and rehabilitation.
If no referral was made before discharge from hospital, your local optician can provide treatment or refer to an eye clinic. It is important to note that appropriate assessments and treatments are free and available through the NHS. Please check with your eye specialist about treatment options before considering private treatment or speak to your local stroke therapy team.
To register your sight loss, contact your local social services or hospital eye clinic, and they will add you to the register. The Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) has more information and can guide you on how to register.
- The Stroke Association – provide information on the different ways your vision can be affected, and how you can get treatment and support. The Stroke Association website.
- Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) - provide information specific to Stroke related visual problems.
- Calderdale & Huddersfield NHS foundation trust – have a developed a helpful information leaflet.
- British and Irish Orthoptic Society - promote dedicated Orthoptic services for people who have had a stroke. They aim to promote specialised assessment, treatment and research and improve patient’s rehabilitation journey. British and Irish Orthoptic Society website.
- The Vision Research Unit - evaluate visual problems in brain injury and stroke, seeks to explore the complexity of co-existent visual and functional effects. More information on The Vision Research Unit.
- The Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) - have a directory where you can search for services and organisations that help blind or partially sighted people in the UK. Access the RNIB directory.
- Outlookers Kirklees- is a visual impairment charity providing virtual and face to face support. Providing support services throughout Kirklees for people with visual impairments. Their aim is to enhance the lives of visually impaired people through promoting the benefits of peer support and the use of technology to aid independence. Find out more about Outlookers Kirklees.
- Halifax Blind Society - Provide practical and emotional support to those affected by sight loss. Halifax Society for the Blind website.
- BID - BID Services is a charity which works to remove barriers and deliver services which enable and empower those who are D/deaf, hard of hearing, sight impaired, deafblind or have other disabilities to live full lives. More Information about - BID Services.
- Leeds Society for Deaf and Blind People - The Society continually strives to improve access for the Deaf, Blind and DeafBlind communities of Leeds. This is achieved by listening to our members and service users and working with them to develop. By consultation and cooperation, we shall ensure that we enable each person to have the opportunity of choice, leading to achieving their personal potential and independent living. lsdbp website
- Harrogate: Vision Support Centre, Russell Sargeant House, 23 East Parade, Harrogate, HG1 5LF 01423 565915 Vision Support Harrogate District
- North Yorkshire Council Sensory Impairment Team
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Telephone 0300 131 2131 - Wakefield: Wakefield District Sight Aid
1924 215555 - Bradford Council: Services for people who have a visual impairment | Bradford Council
- Henshaws Charitable Organisation: Henshaws - Beyond Expectations
0300 222 5555
Disclaimer
It is important to look after your eye health and be aware of changes, keeping contact with your local optician for regular check ups remains important after a stroke.