Childhood Stroke and Vision: a Review of the Literature

Abstract

Objective To review current literature regarding visual outcome after perinatal and childhood stroke.

Background Visual deficits following stroke in adults are common and have been previously reviewed. Less is known about visual deficits following stroke in neonates and older children. Most of the literature regarding this subject has focused on preterm infants, or on other types of brain injury. This review summarizes the types of visual deficits seen in term infants following perinatal stroke and children following childhood stroke and predictors of outcome. This review suggests areas for future research.

Methods The authors performed Ovid MEDLINE searches regarding visual testing in children, vision after childhood stroke, neuroplasticity of vision, treatment of visual impairment after stroke, and driving safety concerns after stroke.

Results Visual field defects were the most commonly reported visual deficits after perinatal and childhood stroke. There is a significant lack of literature on this subject, and most is in the form of case reports and case series. Children can experience significant visual morbidity after stroke, and have the potential to show some recovery, but guidelines on assessment and treatment of this population are lacking.

Conclusions There were limitations to this study given the small amount of literature available. Although stroke in children can result in severe visual deficits, most children regain at least a portion of their vision. However, more research is needed regarding visual assessment of this population, long term visual outcomes, specific predictors of recovery, and treatment options.