Applicability of Neuro-Optometry Vision Questionnaire among Cerebrovascular Accident Patients

Abstract

Optometry Profession has been expanded or modified to conform to the advancement and developments in the field of medical science. Neuro- Optometry is one of the expanded specialty field of vision care that combines neurology and optometry to assess how the brain processes information sent from the eyes. The main purpose of this study is to determine the applicability of Neuro- Optometry Vision Questionnaire among patients who suffered from cerebrovascular accident. Such knowledge will significantly be used in designing a management plan to improve the visual conditions of the respondents, thereby increasing their productivity in work and at home. This study employed the purposive-quota sampling technique to determine the respondents of the study. First, the researchers interviewed the 40 selected respondents and then their visual manifestations were assessed using the Neuro-Optometry Vision Questionnaire. On the second part of examination, Neuro-Optometric Clinical Evaluation was conducted as pre-requisite procedures. The data collected are subjected to different statistical measures. Frequency – Percentage was used to determine the number and percentage of the respondents based on their visual clinical profile,refractive condition, and status based on the result of Neuro-Optometric Clinical Evaluation.Weighted Mean, for a more intensive evaluation of the visual manifestations of respondents and T-test to determine if there is a significant difference in the responses of the two groups of respondents using Neuro-Optometry Vision Questionnaire. It was found out that there is a significant difference on the responses between the non-cerebrovascular accident respondents and Cerebrovascular Accident Respondents using the Neuro-Optometry Vision Questionnaire. Furthermore, the incidence of ocular–visual defects or difficulties was found to be less than on non-cerebrovascular accident respondents because of most their responses could be associated with the aging process while many cerebrovascular accident survivors report vision difficulties, decrease in balance, decreased depth perception and reading problems. In spite of this fact, ocular and visual disorders were found to be significantly associated with stroke in the study. Also, all cerebrovascular accident survivors should receive a comprehensive screening and Neuro-Optometric examination to assess visual disorders in the early days following a stroke as they may warrant referral for a specialist’s assessment and targeted treatment specific to their type of visual impairment.