When JP had a stroke, he lost vision instantly.
I instantly lost half of my vision when the stroke hit. And I mean 50% in each eye gone.
The vision loss from stroke was one challenge. But JP goes on to share that what he could and couldn’t see kept changing, which was hard to understand.
You might be noticing something similar. Maybe you’re bumping into things on one side, losing your place while reading, or feeling like parts of your vision are missing.
These changes can be confusing and unsettling. Understanding what’s going on can be a first step to managing the vision changes.
Why do I keep bumping into things after my stroke?
I'm tired of running into things and getting bruises. I told a friend of mine, I said, I'm going to change my name from JP to Bruiser. –JP
After a stroke, a common vision loss issue is losing part of your visual field—which is everything you can see when looking straight ahead. Called hemianopia, it can make it feel like things on one side simply aren’t there.
Some people also experience something called visual neglect, where the brain doesn’t fully notice one side of the environment.
When this happens, bumping into things isn’t clumsiness—it’s a change in how your brain is processing what you see.
There are ways people learn to move a little more safely over time. Hadley’s workshop Protecting Yourself from Bumping into Things offers two such helpful techniques.
Why is it so hard to read after a stroke?
I'm not exaggerating, but I could read one page—regular text—forcing myself to read blurred because it was tripled and they're like right next to each other so it's a blur. And after reading one just regular-size page of text, I literally would sleep for the next five hours or six. –JP
Reading after a stroke often can be difficult and exhausting.
If part of your vision is missing, it may be hard to find the beginning or end of a line. You might skip words or lose your place without realizing it.
Stroke can also affect how the brain processes what your eyes see. Even when your eyes are working, your brain may have trouble making sense of the information.
People do find different ways to read again—the question may be which ways work best for you. To hear what others with vision loss have found helpful, you may find the Hadley Presents episode Reading After Vision Loss interesting.
Why do things sometimes disappear or look blurry in my vision after a stroke?
I said, I could see the steps, no big deal. Walked up five steps, turned around, was going to walk down—I saw a ramp. I didn't see steps anymore. And that's why I would fall because I would miss the steps. –JP
After a stroke, vision changes aren’t always about what’s missing—they can also affect how things appear.
Some people notice blurry, double, or jumbled vision. This can happen when the eyes aren’t working together the way they used to, causing unclear or overlapping images.
Stroke can also affect depth perception, which helps you judge distances and shapes. That may be why something like a set of stairs can suddenly look like a flat ramp. When things don’t look the way you expect, it can feel disorienting.
If managing stairs is a particular issue for you, Hadley offers a series of free workshops with tips—Taking the Stairs.
Where can I find help for vision loss issues from stroke?
A low vision optometrist can work with you to make sense of how vision loss from stroke is affecting your daily life—like reading, moving safely, and finding things. Even if vision changes can’t always be fully restored, the low vision specialist can make the most of the vision you have. They can recommend practical strategies and tools based on your needs.
This might include:
- scanning to help you notice what’s on your affected side
- tools like prisms and eye patches to reduce double vision
Dr. Sanbrita Mondal describes what to expect from a visit with a low vision optometrist in the Hadley Presents episode Low Vision Specialists.
To find one, ask your eye doctor for a referral. You can also use:
- The Vision Council Foundation’s Low Vision Prescriber Network
- The International Academy of Low Vision Specialists’ “Find a low vision doctor” tool
Or call Hadley for help finding services in your area: 800-323-4238.
Why am I feeling sad and overwhelmed after my stroke?
And I think one of the biggest things was when I was told, going through vision loss you will mourn the loss of your vision. I was able to understand what I was going through emotionally, aside from the vision loss. I have to say that that has helped me keep going and just stay positive. –JP
The emotional side of vision changes after a stroke can catch people off guard.
If you’re feeling confused, frustrated, or sad, you’re not alone. You can hear from real people facing vision loss and gain coping strategies for working through this major life change in Hadley’s free Adjusting and Coping Together video series.
You can also reach out to Hadley’s Donahoe Center for Support at 800-323-4238.
Trusted information related to vision loss and stroke
The American Stroke Association’s article Let’s Talk About Stroke and Vision Changes offers a clear, detailed explanation for how stroke can affect vision.
This Hadley YouTube video explains visual field and how a doctor can test your visual field.
What questions do you have about stroke and vision loss? Please share them with us.
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