Study to 'retrain' the eyes after stroke succesfully recruiting patients
Researchers are successfully screening and recruiting patients for a study exploring a new approach to 'retrain' the eyes after stroke.
Following a successful pilot, Professor Fiona Rowe and her team, jointly funded by Fight for Sight and the Stroke Association, are in the process of running a large-scale study using paper-based visual scanning training.
The team hope that this simple low-tech method will encourage patients to adapt to hemianopia, a loss of vision on the left or right side which occurs suddenly in 30% of stroke survivors.
Despite the delays and challenges of the pandemic, Professor Rowe and her team at the University of Liverpool are back on track.
So far, the team have screened a total of 1,366 patients and recruited 77 patients of their 142 target.
Based on evidence from this research, clinical recommendations could be made on how treatment for hemianopia is delivered within the NHS at primary, secondary and the wider community level.
This work could reduce NHS costs while making it possible to provide more effective care.
Professor Rowe said:
“Stroke research – and especially research looking at the impacts of stroke on vision and visual impairment – is severely underfunded. And yet vision is crucial to quality of life and rebuilding your life after stroke. Thanks to your support, we are now about halfway through this trial. I’m excited for the next phase of my project and look forward to being able to report back on my progress and achievements next year.”
Every year around 150,000 people in the UK have a stroke with roughly 30% experiencing some kind of sight loss as a result.
This important research gives new and much-needed hope for people experiencing sight loss due to brain injury after a stroke.
For more information on the trial, visit searchtrial.co.uk.