Ragni KUMARI
Journal of Multiple Sclerosis Research - 2026;6(1):15-21
Acquired brain injury (ABI), including stroke and traumatic brain injury, is frequently associated with visual system impairments that range from basic sensory deficits to complex perceptual dysfunctions, substantially affecting patient independence, safety, and quality-of-life. This narrative review synthesizes current evidence on the patterns, underlying mechanisms, assessment strategies, and management of vision impairments following ABI, while also highlighting gaps in clinical care and research. A comprehensive literature search was conducted using PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar to identify studies addressing post-ABI visual deficits, their pathophysiology, rehabilitation approaches, and outcomes in both adult and pediatric populations. Visual impairments after ABI include visual field defects (e.g., homonymous hemianopia), oculomotor dysfunction, cortical visual impairment, and higher-order visual perceptual disorders such as visual neglect and visual agnosia. Accurate assessment requires interdisciplinary collaboration and the use of tools such as perimetry, visual evoked potentials, neuroimaging, and neurocognitive testing. Rehabilitation strategies encompass compensatory training, prism adaptation, vision therapy, and assistive technologies; however, the strength of evidence supporting these interventions remains variable, and standardized care pathways are lacking. Early screening, coordinated interdisciplinary management, and individualized rehabilitation programs are essential to optimize visual recovery. Further research is needed to establish robust evidence-based interventions and to integrate visual assessment and rehabilitation into comprehensive neurorehabilitation services.
