An international survey of optometric management of stroke survivors

Abstract

Objectives A survey was conducted to describe the current status of optometric awareness and involvement regarding post-stroke management as literature suggests that visual impairment often goes undiagnosed and unmanaged in stroke survivors. Materials and methods A questionnaire was developed by the researchers, pilot tested by 5 other optometric researchers and 15 optometrists and modified based on the feedback. Practicing optometrists were invited to complete the anonymous online survey through optometric organizations in Canada, Hong Kong, India, UK, and US. Results Results showed that the majority of optometrists (61%) see 1–5 post-stroke patients per month, although 15% report seeing none. In all cases, optometrists referred stroke patients to other health care professionals more often than receiving incoming referrals from them. About 21% of all respondents were already fully involved in post-stroke vision care and 57% were interested in being more involved. Limiting factors to seeing more post-stroke patients included resources (29.8%), funding (25.8%), awareness (25.1%), and interest (9.8%). There was consensus among respondents in all countries that optometrists should be members of post-stroke care teams. Conclusion Optometrists are well suited to provide post-stroke visual rehabilitation but are often not included in care teams for these patients. As a result, the visual management of post-stroke patients often is unaddressed.