Vision loss can be caused by a variety of diseases and injuries, including age-related eye conditions such as glaucoma, cataracts, and macular degeneration. In addition, stroke and traumatic head injuries can produce sudden and dramatic vision loss. There are many types of brain injury–related visual field deficits, and each type affects a person’s life in significant and sometimes devastating ways.

Vision Loss after Stroke

Vision loss after stroke can range from slight to severe. Vision loss often appears along with other disabilities such as partial paralysis, memory, and speech problems, and a variety of other cognitive, physical, and behavioral changes. Vision problems after a stroke stem from damage to the brain or optic nerve.

Vision Loss after Brain Injury

Any kind of brain injury can cause optic nerve damage and vision changes. Most commonly, people experience vision loss after a brain injury sustained during a traumatic blow to the head, such as in a car accident.

Following a stroke or a brain injury, damage to the optic nerve and other parts of the brain can result in a visual blind spot, partial vision loss, or one or more types of visual field defects.

Area of Visual Impairment (Scotoma)

Scotoma is a visual blind spot occurring in any part of the visual field. A scotoma can be an area of vision loss (darkness), lightness, blurring, or distortion. When a scotoma is in a person’s peripheral vision, it may have a minimal impact on day-to-day functioning; however, a visual blind spot in the center of the visual field can be debilitating.

Hemianopia (Hemianopsia)

Hemianopia, also called hemianopsia, is a common type of vision loss after stroke or brain injury. Hemianopia is defined as diminished vision or full vision loss (blindness) in one half of the visual field of one or both eyes.

Quadrantanopia (Quadrantic Hemianopia)

A specific type of hemianopia, quadrantanopia (quadrantanopsia/quadrantic hemianopia) is characterized by low vision or vision loss in one quarter of the visual field.

Diffuse Visual Field Defects

Visual field cut or visual field depression can be characterized by generally blurred vision, tunnel vision, scattered areas of darkness, and other problems affecting sight.

Recent research into visual neuroplasticity — the brain’s ability to develop, change, and heal itself — has helped scientists create new treatments to facilitate vision rehabilitation after stroke or brain injury. One such treatment, NovaVision® Vision Restoration Therapy (VRT) is the only one cleared by the FDA and has shown encouraging results in studies. This method of vision rehabilitation involves no surgery or medication. It is completed daily and at-home on a medical device.

To learn more about the types of vision loss common after stroke or brain injury, as well as treatment options, please contact NovaVision by email, or call NovaVision Patient Services toll-free at 1.888.205.0800.