Strokes in your brain’s occipital lobe primarily cause visual symptoms like loss of field of vision affecting both eyes. Prompt treatment is necessary to avoid permanent blindness and other serious complications.
Your occipital lobe is one of four lobes in the brain. It controls your vision perception. An occipital stroke is a stroke that occurs in your occipital lobe.
If you’re having an occipital stroke, your symptoms will be different than symptoms for other types of strokes. The possible complications will also be unique.
The main symptoms associated with an occipital stroke involve changes to your vision. You may experience loss of one side of vision from both eyes or even blindness.
The severity of your symptoms will depend on the severity of the stroke. Your symptoms will also differ depending on the part of the occipital lobe affected by the stroke. For example, if the stroke affects the central part of the lobe, you’ll be unable to see objects in your direct line of sight.
A stroke in the left side of your occipital lobe will affect the right half of your vision in both eyes. A stroke in the right side will affect the left half of your vision in both eyes. A stroke affecting both sides may lead to cortical blindness.
The loss of vision on one side can affect the whole left or right side of both eyes, or just the upper or lower half, as these sections have certain areas of the occiptal lobe dedicated to them.
A complete loss of vision is an emergency, and you shouldn’t ignore it. Get immediate medical help if this occurs. Complete loss of vision may lead to permanent blindness.
General symptoms of a stroke may include:
- lightheadedness
- numbness and tingling on one side of your body
- difficulty expressing your thoughts or ideas
- difficulty with speech
- a severe headache that lasts for longer than usual
- a change in vision, such as loss of vision on one side, loss of vision straight on, or a complete loss of vision
Stroke is a medical emergencyIt’s important to receive treatment right away. If you think you may be having a stroke, call 911 or your local emergency services immediately.
Obstruction in arteries supplying blood to the brain causes approximately
The remaining 13% are typically due to a leaking blood vessel or a blood vessel rupturing in the brain. This results in what’s known as a hemorrhagic stroke.
Obstructions or hemorrhages in a few arteries can cause an occipital lobe stroke. The most common are:
- basilar artery, in front of the brain stem (where your brain meets your spinal cord)
- vertebral arteries, on either side of your neck
- posterior cerebral artery (PCA), which runs from the back of your brain through to your brainstem
Hypertension (high blood pressure) is the leading risk factor for stroke. Research suggests that almost
High blood pressure increases the pressure placed on your arteries. This can damage the walls of your arteries, causing them to thicken and narrow.
Additional risk factors for stroke
- a history of stroke or ministroke
- a family history of stroke
- diabetes
- high cholesterol
- heart disease
- a higher-than-typical red blood cell count
- drug use, such as the use of cocaine or amphetamines
- smoking
- obesity
- an inactive lifestyle
- the use of birth control pills or estrogen replacement therapy
Your risk of stroke also increases with age. Starting at age 55, your risk nearly doubles
A doctor will review your signs and symptoms with you. They’ll go over your medical history, perform a physical exam, and run any relevant tests.
During your physical exam, your doctor will check your vision, balance, and coordination abilities and assess your alertness. If they suspect you’ve had a stroke, they’ll also perform a series of diagnostic tests, which may
Immediate treatment of stroke involves restoring blood flow to the affected part of the brain. This could involve medications or surgery.
Once doctors restore blood flow and resolve emergency symptoms, your treatment depends on the severity of the stroke and any complications you may have.
If you have vision problems, your doctor will refer you to a neuro-ophthalmologist or neuro-optometrist. They’ll determine a rehabilitation plan that should help restore some of your vision or help you adjust to any vision loss.
Your doctor may recommend compensatory vision therapy. This therapy uses prisms to shift images from the field of your vision that’s impaired to your functioning field of vision.
People with occipital strokes are
It may take months to see any visual field improvement following an occipital stroke. However, each person’s recovery is unique, and recovery time can vary from weeks to years. Some people may fully recover, while others will have impaired vision or other complications for the rest of their lives.
A
You may require ongoing emotional support, rehabilitation, and medications. Continue to see your doctor and take medications as recommended. You should also participate in any rehabilitation plan your doctor recommends.
What is the survival rate after an occipital lobe stroke?
A small 2021 study found that
The survival rates for ischemic strokes are typically higher than for hemorrhagic strokes.
Each year,
- managing stress
- following a heart-healthy diet
- exercising for at least 30 minutes on most days
- avoiding smoking and other tobacco products
- maintaining a moderate weight
- limiting your alcohol intake
An occipital stroke starts in the occipital lobe at the back of your brain. This part of your brain is responsible for processing visual information, so a stroke here can cause severe visual symptoms.
Your specific symptoms will depend on the location of the stroke within the occipital lobe. Many people experience vision loss in one side of their visual field in both eyes. Some people may experience complete vision loss.
Starting visual training within 3 months of your stroke can improve your chances of a better recovery of vision after an occipital stroke.