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Eye Problems From a Stroke

Your eyes help you navigate and provide a picture of the world around you. As important as your eyes are, they are also prone to many problems. A stroke, the disruption of blood flow to your brain, can lead to serious eye conditions, including vertigo, eyestrain and dryness.

  1. The Eyes

    • Each of your eyes is made of many essential structures but the main ones are the pupil, the retina and the lens. When light hits your eyes, the hole in the middle called the pupil takes it in. The iris, the colored part of your eye, adjusts the pupil according to the amount of light available. It enlarges the pupil for low light situations and makes it smaller for circumstance where there is not enough light available. All this light is channeled to the retina, a structure that creates chemical and electrical reactions when it is exposed to light. Your eyes function as your window the world. They take in light and convert it into electronic impulses, which your brain translates into vision.

    Stroke

    • A stroke is a disruption in the blood to the brain. This can be caused by the narrowing or hardening of arteries in the brain. Blood clots or hemorrhages in your brain may also lead to a stroke. There are several conditions that can raise your risk factors for developing a stroke. High blood pressure or high cholesterol can both put you at risk for a stroke. Stroke can also be a symptom of another disease, including diabetes or kidney disease.

    Strokes and Eye Problems

    • Blood flow is very important to your body because your blood carries oxygen and other nutrients to each part so that it can function. When blood is cut off from a part of the brain from a stroke, it prevents oxygen from being absorbed. This can cause severe brain damage, preventing your brain from communicating properly with the rest of your body. According to the National Center for Health Statistics, about half a million people suffer from strokes every year. Many of those people also suffer from eye problems after the stroke. Depending on the area of the brain affected and the severity of the stroke, it can lead to double vision, blurry vision or a complete loss of sight. You can also experience dizziness or light sensitivity. Some stroke survivors even experience vertigo, or the sensation that their environment is spinning.

    Treatment

    • The treatment of eye problem stemming from stroke is tailored to the type of eye problem. Many of these eye problems are permanent, so the treatment is often to show you how to cope with the problems. For example, if you are having vision field problems, or cannot see to the side of your body, you may benefit from therapy techniques that teach you scanning techniques. On the other hand, light sensitivity can be treated by tinted eyewear and dry eyes can be treated with over the counter eye drops. Your health care provider will be able to assess your condition and advise you on specific treatments.

    Prevention

    • The best way to prevent eye problems from a stroke is to prevent yourself from having a stroke in the first place. A healthy diet and exercise routine will go a long way in avoiding a stroke. Avoid smoking cigarettes and excessive alcohol intake. Keeping your weight down will also ward off stroke. You should also get regular medical exams and screenings for conditions like diabetes, heart disease and kidney disease. If these conditions are left untreated, they often lead to strokes.

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