Learn more about accessing care, treatment and rehabilitation support with vision problems after a stroke. 

On this page:

Healthcare professionals who can help  

You can ask your GP, therapist or optician if you need help with a vision problem. There are a wide range of vision and stroke professionals who can help. They include:    

  • An orthoptist can assess and treat a range of vision problems, particularly eye movements.  
  • An ophthalmologist is a medical doctor who specialises in diagnosing and treating diseases of the eye. Only a consultant ophthalmologist can certify people as sight impaired. 
  • An optometrist (optician) tests sight, prescribes and dispenses glasses or contact lenses and can screen you for eye disease.  
  • Support workers and eye clinic liaison officers (ECLOs) can give additional support and provide information on practical aids and emotional support. ECLOs provide a bridge between eye health professionals in hospital and other organisations that can support you at home.  
  • Vision rehabilitation specialists help you make use of your remaining vision and other skills to increase your independence. 
  • Occupational therapists can assess how vision problems affect your ability to do everyday tasks and offer rehabilitation.  

If you have a question or need to talk, our Stroke Support Helpline is here for you, your family and friends, wherever you are in the UK. One call opens up a world of support. Whatever you’re facing, give us a call on 0303 3033 100 or email helpline@stroke.org.uk 

Accessing an eye specialist 

After a stroke, you should be seen by an orthoptist on the stroke unit, or have a vision screening test done by someone from the stroke team. If a vision problem is found, you should be referred to an orthoptist or ophthalmologist.  They can assess your vision to find out the nature and severity of the problems, and arrange treatment for double vision or visual field loss. Ideally, this assessment should happen before you leave hospital, as visual problems can affect daily life and rehabilitation of other problems after stroke.  

You might have a full vision assessment in an outpatient clinic. You may be referred to a low vision clinic where you can have an assessment and get advice.  

If no referral was made before discharge from hospital, you can ask your community stroke team to refer you for a vision assessment, or visit your optician who can provide treatment or refer to the eye clinic where needed.  

Appropriate assessments and treatments are available through the NHS for free. It’s a good idea to check with your eye specialist first if you’re considering using a private provider.  

Rehabilitation 

Rehabilitation is usually provided by your community rehabilitation team or your local vision rehabilitation service. The aim is to give you skills and resources to reduce the impact of your vision problem on daily life. A course of training and support, tailored to your goals, may be provided. This can include support for your daily living skills, for work or using technology. It can help you find the right emotional support too.  

An occupational therapist or vision rehabilitation specialist can also advise if specialist equipment, such as special lighting or screenreaders, may help you. The charity RNIB also has information on equipment and technology to help you live more independently.  

We also have more information and tips on coping with sight problems.

Should I register my sight loss?  

If you are assessed as being sight impaired (partially sighted) or severely sight impaired (blind), you can choose to register your sight loss. This can make it easier to get practical help from social services. It can also entitle you to concessions such as a council tax reduction, reduced price TV licence, the Disabled Person’s Railcard and local travel schemes. It can also help when claiming certain state benefits.  

A consultant ophthalmologist can complete the request to issue you with a certificate and referral for support services. In England and Wales, this certificate is called the Certificate of Vision Impairment (CVI). In Scotland this is called the CVI (Scotland) form, and in Northern Ireland it is called A655.  

To register your sight loss, contact your local social services or hospital eye clinic, and they will add you to the register.  

RNIB has more information on the benefits of registering your sight loss and how to do it.