The abstract didn't tell me anything, you may have to get your doctor to request the article.
http://content.karger.com/ProdukteDB/produkte.asp?Doi=337016
Abstract
Objective: Visual field defects (VFD) after stroke can cause significant disability and reduction in quality of life. Adequate diagnosis of VFD and referral to visual rehabilitation are important to improve outcome. Our aim was to conduct a retrospective clinical audit to investigate how neurologists detect and follow up VFD in stroke patients in a university hospital in Norway. Methods: All patients registered in the Bergen NORSTROKE Registry from February 2006 to May 2009 with (1) occipital lobe infarctions and (2) non-occipital infarction and clinically detected VFD were included in the study. Their medical records were reviewed for referral to perimetry for examination of VFD and for referral to a visual rehabilitation program within the first year after brain injury. Results: Of 353 patients, 34 (9.6%) were referred to perimetry and 8 (2.3%) to visual rehabilitation. Patients referred to perimetry were younger (65.1 vs. 74.7 years, p < 0.001), had lower modified Rankin Scale scores (2.53 vs. 3.47, p = 0.003), and scored lower on the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale upon admission (6.68 vs. 13.90, p < 0.001). Men were more often referred to perimetry than women (73.5 vs. 26.5%, p < 0.001), and those referred were younger (61.2 vs. 75.8 years, p = 0.03). Conclusions: Only few patients were referred to perimetry, and even fewer were offered visual rehabilitation. Age and gender were negative predictors for referral. Neurologists’ awareness of the significant disability related to VFD must be increased. Focused diagnostics on visual impairment and early referral to a visual rehabilitation program should be mandatory in stroke unit services.
I had huge vision problems that the neuros and neuro opth. told me were permanent. I found a neuro-optomitrist and had vision therapy. I'm almost 100% better. Find a provider in your area @www.nora.cc Your eyes will thank you!!!
ReplyDeleteThe power of the placebo effect is strong...how do you know?
ReplyDeleteIn order for treatments to be used, they have to be tested and PROVEN. Vision rehab is not proven..Only through anecdotal cases and retrospective reports. The NIH is testing now to see if vision rehab has merit..it may or may not..until it is tested however, we just don't know..Otherwise it is all placebo effect and anecdotal cases.
ReplyDeleteThe whole point of bringing these research items up is to bring them to the light of day so pressure can be applied to actually get a scientific basis for stroke rehab
ReplyDelete