Detailed Vision Screening Results from a Cohort of Individuals with Aphasia.

BACKGROUND

Visual functioning is often affected in persons with aphasia following stroke and other brain injuries. Characterizing the visual functioning of persons with aphasia is imperative in both clinical and research domains; however, visual functioning of persons with aphasia is infrequently assessed or described in either domain.

AIMS

This study aims to examine the utility of various visual screening measures as indicated by Hallowell (2008) and document the results of the screening tools for a cohort of persons with aphasia.

METHODS & PROCEDURES: Twenty-three individuals with chronic aphasia completed a detailed vision screening using a visual case history, the Visual Activities Questionnaire, the McDowell Vision Screening, an Amsler grid, the line bisection task, and the National Institute of Health Stroke Scale item 3-visual.

OUTCOMES & RESULTS: Two-thirds of the participants reported significant visual histories with only one participant reporting stroke-related visual deficits. On average, the group rated visual difficulty during daily activities as never or rarely occurring, with the least difficulty reported for color discrimination and the most difficulty with visual acuity and visual search, though still only occurring rarely. All participants passed the cover/uncover screening task measuring ocular alignment and motility, the color perception screening task, and several tasks measuring ocular function. Failing scores, however, were assigned for about half of the participants for distance visual acuity, and only three participants for near visual acuity. Visual fields were normal for about two-thirds of the participants and all participants presented with normal visual attention.

CONCLUSIONS

The results suggest that visual deficits are common in persons with aphasia, but are not necessarily related to the stroke that the person experienced. The results highlight the need to screen the vision of persons with aphasia both for clinical purposes and research protocols to ensure visual deficits are treated, compensated for, or controlled.