Left Side Vision Loss Leaves Lame Lady 'Lost'

Jan. 13, 2013 - PRLog -- Betty had a stroke 4 years ago, and as a result is now paralyzed on the left side of her body, isn't aware of things on her left, and has trouble walking.  She has been complaining of:

•Trouble reading

• Not being able to judge where things are on the left hand side, eg walking into doorways

• Not seeing people on her left

• Getting very disorientated and lost, when outside her home environment

• Frequently misplacing items around the house

Betty's family don’t understand why this is happening.

I visited Betty in her house, and observed her difficulty reading with the reading glasses which had been prescribed before the stroke.  Since the stroke, and with her difficulty in holding things, Betty now rests any reading material on her lap about 1 metre from her eyes. After some discussion and a few gentle suggestions, I soon discovered that Betty's reading glasses weren't doing a good job for her, and they were only suitable for her at approximately 1/3 metre from her eyes, meaning that her reading glasses were now too strong.  Betty had not been aware that she needed the power of the lenses to be reduced to accommodate the changed reading distance. Clarifying this and explaining it in the simplest terms to Betty, helped her to understand that this was something within her power to fix.

To quickly assess Betty's field of vision, I did a confrontation field test, and an appointment was made with her ophthalmologist (eye specialist).  It was discovered she had a left sided field loss, known as a left homonymous hemianopia, that is, in both the left and right eye, the left side of her vision was missing.

These results explained why Betty was walking into things, not seeing people on the left, getting disorientated, and losing things around the house.

I discussed all of my findings in length with the family about the field loss, and demonstrated it with the aid of simulator goggles.  They could experience first hand what it was like to have this type of field loss, and understood what was happening with their family member.

The outcome of my visit resulted in:

• Betty getting new reading glasses

• Being referred for Orientation & Mobility instruction to learn techniques of scanning and how to cope with the field loss of vision

• Members of her family understanding the visual outcome of her stroke.

Do you know someone who has had a stroke and is struggling with their vision? See how an Orthoptist can help you.  

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lLb5swtASV4



Please visit the website  http://eyesightessentials.com/services.html to view the options available on the Services page, and please do contact me if you need help.

Eyesight Essentials is a low vision advisory service which provides assistance to people with low vision as well as their family or carers.  Eyesight Essentials can assess, trial and train vision impaired people in the use of magnifiers, as well as other aids and equipment to assist in daily activities.  Eyesight Essentials also educate community groups, allied health professionals, and aged care facilities to raise awareness & understand the impact of vision loss.

To contact Jane Barnes, the Orthoptist at Eyesight Essentials, pop over to the website or call on 0425 70 50 10 (Melbourne, Australia), to discuss your vision concerns, or those of a family member. Let us help you to help your loved one.