Learning About Visual Field Loss After a Stroke
After a stroke, you may have trouble seeing part of what’s around you. This is called visual field loss. These changes can be temporary or permanent.
It is important to see an eye doctor within 1 month after your stroke to examine your eyes. To see an optometrist, you can book an appointment yourself or be referred. If you do not have an ophthalmologist (a medical eye doctor), your doctor can refer you.
Visual field loss
The term visual field describes the area you can see when your eyes are looking in one direction. It includes both your peripheral (side vision) and central vision.
There are various types of visual field loss. The most common type after a stroke is called a homonymous hemianopia. Hemianopia means loss of half of your visual field and homonymous means the same side is affected for both eyes.
Visual field loss from a stroke usually affects 1 side of both of your eyes. If you have left visual field loss, for example, this means that you can not see on your left side with either eye. This is called a left hemianopia.
Visual field loss is not the result of damage to the eyes. It is a result of damage to the visual pathway in the brain.
Visual field loss symptoms
If you have visual field loss you may:
- Notice that you cannot see objects on one side.
- Feel like you have lost the vision in 1 eye, even though it is both eyes that have visual field loss on the same side.
- Bump into objects and people on the side of your visual field loss.
- Have a tough time finding objects (for example, items on a shelf or table).
- Experience difficulties with reading and writing. If you have a left-sided visual field loss, it may be difficult to find the start of the line. If you have right-sided visual field loss, it may be difficult to follow to the end of the text.
Visual field loss and stroke can impact your mobility. White canes can help you judge distances like steps and are available from Vision Loss Rehabilitation Canada.
Stroke survivors have a higher risk of falling. To stay safe, use proper lighting, reduce clutter, and use railings.
Assessing visual field loss
Your healthcare provider can do a bedside screening test to detect visual field loss.
Visual field loss can be assessed when you are in the hospital after a stroke, but a more formal visual field test at your eye doctor’s office can confirm the specific areas and extent of your visual field loss.
Recovery
Recovery of visual field loss depends on many factors, including the area of the brain affected, severity of the damage, and type of damage. If recovery is going to happen, full or partial recovery is typically seen within the first 3 to 6 months. You may feel that your sight improves as you adapt to the visual field loss over time.
Visual search and scanning strategies
Visual search or scanning strategies use a combination or head and eye movements to help create awareness of your missing visual field. Your rehabilitation specialist can suggest exercises to help you practice scanning, like the Eye-Search scanning therapy program.
Line guides, rulers, and coloured markers can help with reading.
Using your seeing side
Some everyday changes can make you more aware of your affected side and others are designed to make the best use of your seeing side. For example:
- People should approach from your seeing side.
- Move furniture to your seeing side.
- Put important things, like a hot drink, on your seeing side.
- Get out of bed on your seeing side.
- Scan or look around as much as possible.
- When walking together, family and friends can walk on your affected side to prevent you from walking into obstacles.
To see this information online and learn move, visit MyHealth.Alberta.ca/health/aftercareinformation/pages/conditions.aspx?hwid=custom.ab_visual_field_loss_stroke_inst.
Related to vision field loss after a stroke
For 24/7 nurse advice and general health information call Health Link at 811.
Current as of: March 19, 2026
Author: Provincial EyeSee After Stroke Working Group, Acute Care Alberta
This material is not a substitute for the advice of a qualified health professional. This material is intended for general information only and is provided on an "as is", "where is" basis. Although reasonable efforts were made to confirm the accuracy of the information, Alberta Health Services does not make any representation or warranty, express, implied or statutory, as to the accuracy, reliability, completeness, applicability or fitness for a particular purpose of such information. Alberta Health Services expressly disclaims all liability for the use of these materials, and for any claims, actions, demands or suits arising from such use.
