Ansley’s Blog: Sight loss support this World Stroke Day
The coronavirus pandemic has dominated headlines this year, but other serious health issues haven’t gone away.
This World Stroke Day (29 October), RNIB Cymru is raising awareness of the impact that stroke can have on people’s wellbeing and vision.
Around 7,400 people living in Wales will have a stroke every year. Most of us already know that surviving a stroke can leave people with communication problems, muscle weakness, pain and fatigue. But did you know that a stroke can impact your eyesight, too?
An estimated two thirds of people suffer visual problems after a stroke. If certain parts of the brain are affected, then this can cause issues including visual field loss, double or blurry vision and can also affect visual processing. Like other effects of stroke, vision problems can improve with time as the brain recovers, but some people will be left with permanent sight loss.
It’s normal to be distressed when you’ve been diagnosed with vision loss. There can be a lot of life changes in a short time, and you might worry about the future. RNIB knows how difficult this transition can be, and is here to help you every step of the way.
Our Sight Loss Advice Service offers a range of practical advice and help, from counselling to rehabilitation, or just a friendly ear. Our trained advisors can answer any questions you may have about stroke and sight loss, and can offer tips on making the most of your remaining vision. Just call 0303 123 9999 or email [email protected].
Finally, remember that strokes are most common in people over 65 but can affect anyone at any time. If you think you might be having a stroke call 999 immediately to minimise your risk of long-term harm.
