Vergence Neural Pathways: A Systematic Narrative Literature Review.

Research in the neural pathway for vergence is less understood in comparison to the other four visual eye movements. The aim of this study was to review the literature on vergence neural pathways and associated disorders. A review of previous published literature though to March 2016 was conducted. Intracranial pathologies that affect entire neural functioning were found to cause convergence insufficiencies. In contrast, pathologies with a more localised intracranial lesion cause more specific vergence disorders. There is debate as to the potential presence of a "divergence centre." Detailed information on the divergence pathway is lacking and warrants further research

International Practice in Care Provision for Post-stroke Visual Impairment.

PurposeThis study sought to explore the practice of orthoptists internationally in care provision for poststroke visual impairment.MethodsSurvey questions were developed and piloted with clinicians, academics, and users. Questions addressed types of visual problems, how these were identified, treated, and followed up, care pathways in use, links with other professions, and referral options. The survey was approved by the institutional ethical committee. The survey was accessed via a web link that was circulated through the International Orthoptic Association member professional organisations to orthoptists.ResultsCompleted electronic surveys were obtained from 299 individuals. About one-third (35.5%) of orthoptists saw patients within 2 weeks of stroke onset and over half (55.5%) by 1 month post stroke. Stroke survivors were routinely assessed by 87%; over three-quarters in eye clinics. Screening tools were used by 11%. Validated tests were used for assessment of visual acuity (76.5%), visual field (68.2%), eye movement (80.9%), binocular vision (77.9%), and visual function (55.8%). Visual problems suspected by family or professionals were high (86.6%). Typical overall follow-up period of vision care was less than 3 months. Designated care pathways for stroke survivors with visual problems were used by 56.9% of orthoptists. Information on visual impairment was provided by 85.9% of orthoptists.ConclusionsIn international orthoptic practice, there is general agreement on assessment and management of visual impairment in stroke populations. More than half of orthoptists reported seeing stroke survivors within 1 month of the stroke onset, typically in eye clinics. There was a high use of validated tests of visual acuity, visual fields, ocular motility, and binocular vision. Similarly there was high use of established treatment options including prisms, occlusion, compensatory strategies, and oculomotor training, appropriately targeted at specific types of visual conditions/symptoms. This information can be used to inform choice of core outcome orthoptic measures in stroke practice

The Impact of Visual Impairment in Stroke (IVIS) Study – Evidence of Reproducibility

Reporting generalisable data across stroke populations is important. We aimed to evaluate the Impact of Visual Impairment after Stroke (IVIS) visual assessment protocol in a different UK geographical area. This was a single-centre acute stroke unit, prospective study (IVIS-extension (IVIS-e) study) with comparison to a multi-centre acute stroke cohort (IVIS study). Orthoptists reviewed all stroke survivors with a standardised assessment of visual acuity, visual fields, ocular alignment, ocular motility, visual inattention and visual perception including a standardised follow-up strategy. 123 stroke survivors underwent visual screening: 42% women, 58% men, mean age 63.6 years and 86% ischaemic strokes. Ethnicity consisted of 68.3% white British and 28.5% being Pakistani, Indian, Caribbean, Bangladeshi, Black and Chinese. Two died and 28 could not be assessed. Of the 93 remaining, 10 stroke survivors (10.8%) had a normal visual assessment and 83 (89.2%) had visual impairments detected. Fifty-seven stroke survivors were assessed at their first orthoptic visit within 3 days of stroke onset; the remainder being assessed at subsequent orthoptic visits to the stroke unit. The visual profile was similar across the IVIS-e and original IVIS cohorts for most types of visual impairment although, overall, more visual impairment was detected in IVIS-e. Differences between the cohorts were primarily related to lower age and smaller white British ethnicity in the IVIS-e cohort. This likely relates to the differing population demographics for the two cohort geographical areas. Further roll-out of the IVIS assessment protocol to other regions and countries would improve detection of post-stroke visual impairment

UK exceptional case driving application outcomes in post-stroke homonymous hemianopia: results from a clinical study.

PurposeWe report results in relation to returning to driving in the UK under the exceptional cases rule for visual field loss.MethodsThe Hemianopia Adaptation Study is a prospective clinical study recruiting adult stroke survivors with new onset homonymous hemianopia. The mobility assessment course (MAC) was used to measure navigational scanning. Car drivers were offered a 1-year post-stroke assessment to consider referral for driving assessment.ResultsOf 144 participants, 51 were eligible for driving assessment, with 13 (25.4%) accepting appointment for UK Driving and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) referral. A statistically significant difference in gender and baseline Barthel (stroke severity) scores was found between those requesting referral and those declining (p = 0.046; p p = 0.006/p ConclusionsIt is possible for individuals with post-stroke homonymous hemianopia to return to driving, where exceptional cases criteria are met. There is evidence to support use of the MAC as a clinical measurement of adaptation.IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATIONIndividuals with post-stroke homonymous hemianopia should be fully informed regarding driving regulations that can differ between countries and sometimes different states within a country, as well as provided with the support and opportunity to consider a return to driving if appropriate.Professionals providing care within the stroke multi-disciplinary team should be aware that it is possible for patients with homonymous hemianopia to return to driving, when exceptional cases criteria are met.The mobility assessment course (MAC) should be considered as a clinical measurement of adaptation in homonymous hemianopia.A cut-off score of ≤25% omissions on MAC could be employed to determine those likely to adapt to hemianopia long-term and potentially return to driving

Editorial: From Pedagogic Research to Embedded E-Learning

This Special Issue of Reflecting Education arises from the work of the PREEL project (From Pedagogic Research to Embedded e-Learning) at the Institute of Education from 2006-2008. This project was one of nine HEA/JISC (Higher Education Academy and Joint Information Systems Committee) Pilot Pathfinder Projects and followed on from our involvement in the Pilot Benchmarking of e-Learning Programme. In the benchmarking exercise we identified a lack of coordination between research and practice in e-learning at the IoE as one of our crucial weaknesses, and so our Pilot Pathfinder project concentrated on this theme of building links between e-learning research and practice