WHAT IMPACT DOES POST-STROKE VISUAL IMPAIRMENT HAVE ON QUALITY OF LIFE? A SYSTEMATISED LITERATURE REVIEW

Abstract

Background and Aim: Stroke remains one of the leading causes of disease burden, worldwide, with much of the contributions to said burden being due to the morbid effects (complications/residual deficits) of stroke upon individuals ongoing lives. In light of visual impairment being a prevalent but often under-recognised problem among stroke survivors and uncertainty over the ways in which such issues affect quality of life, This review aimed to rectify the existing gap in evidence. Methods: A search for relevant literature was conducted utilizing MEDLINE, EMBASE and CINAHL with a range of search terms applied via the PEO framework used to develop the research question. Citation screening and a search of Google Scholar were also employed to enhance search rigour. Eligible studies were constrained to those written in English, subjected to peer review, and published within the last decade. The evidence was appraised followed the CASP frameworks, with the essential discoveries being synthesized in a narrative manner. Results/Discussion: A total of eight studies (three quantitative surveys and five qualitative papers) were included. The key findings were presented across two core themes: quality of life impacted by the effects of visual impairment upon physical wellbeing (theme 1) and psychosocial wellbeing (theme 2). Pertinent findings were that impaired vision impacted almost all aspects of individuals lives and resulted in diminished quality of life due to disruptions to function, completing the activities of daily living and impairing the independence of living. The findings of the review were supported by prior and wider literature and as a result of the evidence representing the best available information, recommendations for ongoing practice and future research were formulated. One core recommendation is the need for additional education of clinicians regarding the ways in which the needs of individuals with post-stroke visual impairment can be identified and addressed.