Learning About Visual Inattention After a Stroke
After a stroke, you might have trouble noticing things on one side of your body or surroundings. This is called visual inattention or visual neglect.
Visual inattention often happens when the stroke affects the right side of your brain, which can make you ignore things on your left side. You may not even realize this is happening, but it can cause safety problems, especially when walking or moving. For example:
- You might not see people or objects on one side.
- You might not notice your own arm or leg on one side.
Sometimes, this happens along with visual field loss, which means part of your vision is missing.
This handout explains visual inattention and provides tips to manage it. With care and support, visual inattention can get better.
Signs of visual inattention
After leaving the hospital after a stroke, you or your family might notice changes in how you do everyday things and that you need more therapy. These changes can be small or more noticeable, but all are important.
Some signs to watch for:
- You bump into things or trip more often.
- You walk off to one side without meaning to.
- You miss words on one side when reading.
- It’s hard to get out of bed from one side.
- You only dress or wash one side of your body.
- You may only eat from one side of your plate or miss items on one side.
Helpful strategies
You can ask for a referral to an occupational therapist, who can help you with your visual inattention and help you find ways to adjust and stay safe and independent.
With help from an occupational therapist, you can learn strategies to improve your daily life, like:
- Learning to look toward or scan to the affected side.
- During important conversations, having others sit on your stronger (unaffected) side.
- Reducing distractions on the affected side to help focus attention.
- Using line guides or highlighted margins to help with reading.
- Using apps or games designed to improve attention.
- Doing word searches or spot the difference.
- Recommending people sit on your affected side to help you practice looking that way.
Staying safe
- Keep your home free of clutter to avoid falls.
- Always hold the railing when using stairs.
- Ask your family or caregivers to approach you from the side you see best.
- Keep important items (like your phone or glasses) on the side you can see.
- Ask others for help with things like crossing the street.
To see this information online and learn more, visit MyHealth.Alberta.ca/health/aftercareinformation/pages/conditions.aspx?hwid=custom.ab_visual_inattention_stroke_inst.
Related to Visual Inattention After 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
