Title : The impact of acquired brain injuries on vision: Patterns, assessment, and rehabilitation
Abstract:
Acquired brain injuries (ABIs), including stroke and traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), frequently result in visual system impairments ranging from basic sensory deficits to complex perceptual dysfunctions, significantly affecting independence, safety, and quality of life. This narrative review synthesizes current knowledge on the types, mechanisms, assessment, and management of vision impairments associated with ABI and highlights existing gaps in care and research. A comprehensive literature search was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar, including studies addressing post-ABI visual deficits, their pathophysiology, rehabilitation approaches, and outcomes in both adult and paediatric populations. Visual impairments following ABI encompass visual field deficits (e.g., homonymous hemianopia), oculomotor dysfunctions, cortical visual impairment, and higher-order visual perceptual disorders such as visual neglect and agnosias. Assessment requires interdisciplinary collaboration using perimetry, visual evoked potentials, neuroimaging, and cognitive testing. Rehabilitation strategies include compensatory training, prism adaptation, vision therapy, and assistive technologies, though the evidence base remains variable and standardized care pathways are limited. Early screening, interdisciplinary management, and personalized rehabilitation are crucial for optimizing recovery, and further research is needed to establish evidence-based interventions and integrate visual care into comprehensive neurorehabilitation services.
Keywords: Acquired brain injury, Visual impairment, Cortical visual impairment, Visual field loss, Traumatic brain injury, Stroke rehabilitation, Neuro-ophthalmology
