From the Guidelines
Yes, a prior stroke can cause intermittent blurry vision, as strokes affecting the visual pathways in the brain can lead to various visual disturbances, including blurry vision that comes and goes. This happens because stroke damages brain tissue responsible for processing visual information, as noted in studies on stroke prevention and management 1. The intermittent nature of blurry vision may occur due to fluctuations in blood pressure, fatigue, or temporary changes in brain activity in the affected areas.
Key Considerations
- Strokes that affect the occipital lobe or blood vessels supplying the visual cortex are particularly likely to cause visual disturbances, including intermittent blurry vision.
- Controlling stroke risk factors like high blood pressure, diabetes, and cholesterol is essential for preventing further episodes, as emphasized in guidelines for the prevention, detection, evaluation, and management of high blood pressure in adults 1.
- Regular physical activity and exercise, as recommended for stroke survivors, can also play a role in reducing the risk of recurrent stroke and other cardiovascular diseases by improving factors such as hypertension, arterial function, and insulin response 1.
Management and Prevention
If you're experiencing intermittent blurry vision after a stroke, it's crucial to consult with your neurologist or ophthalmologist promptly, as this could indicate either ongoing effects from the previous stroke or potentially a new cerebrovascular event. Your doctor might recommend:
- Medications to improve blood flow or prevent further strokes, such as antiplatelet drugs like aspirin (81-325mg daily) or anticoagulants if appropriate.
- Vision therapy exercises to help adapt to visual changes.
- Lifestyle modifications, including regular physical activity, diet modification, and management of stroke risk factors, to lower the risk of a second stroke, as suggested by guidelines and studies on secondary stroke prevention 1.
From the Research
Prior Stroke and Intermittent Blurry Vision
- A prior stroke can cause various visual problems, including intermittent blurry vision, due to the high likelihood of involving vision in some way 2.
- Studies have shown that approximately 2/3 of acute first episode ischemic stroke patients experience acquired vision deficits, often unrelated to the confirmed lesion site 3.
- Visual field defects, reduced central visual acuity, acquired strabismus, and acquired ocular motility disorders are common visual impairments found in stroke patients 3, 4.
- Intermittent blurry vision can be a symptom of visual field loss, which is present in approximately 52% of stroke patients 4.
- Screening for post-stroke visual impairment is crucial, as it can significantly impact the quality of life and disability of stroke survivors 5, 6.
- Vision problems after cerebral infarction are associated with older age, higher National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score, and higher modified Rankin Scale score 6.
- Patients with vision problems after stroke tend to have lower quality of life, higher anxiety and depression scores, and higher fatigue severity scores 6.