Post‐stroke visual midline shift syndrome

Abstract

The state of research on the topic of visual midline shift syndrome following a cerebrovascular accident is unknown. A scoping review was conducted using the search terms of ‘visual midline shift’ (or equivalent) and ‘cerebrovascular accident’ (or equivalent). Articles were selected from eight academic and one grey literature database, and went through two levels of review, as per Arksey and O'Malley, before being deemed acceptable for inclusion. Of the 931 abstracts reviewed, 27 articles met the criteria for inclusion. Data extracted from the selected articles included terminology and definition, symptoms, underlying pathophysiology, duration, assessment method, and management of visual midline shift syndrome following cerebrovascular accident. There is agreement on the existence of a midline shift following a cerebrovascular accident resulting in poor posture and imbalance. Much uncertainty exists in the literature regarding terminology, underlying pathophysiology, assessment method and management of this condition. Further research is required.

Key words:

• midline shift
• perception
• post‐stroke
• vision

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

This study received fundings from the Network for Aging Research Mentorship program (Canada, 2015) and the Canadian Optometric Education Trust Fund (Canada, 2016).

Supporting information

Additional supporting information may be found in the online version of this article at the publisher’s website:

Appendix S1. Search term variations.

Table S1. Chronological list of extracted study details.

Additional information

Funding

Network for Aging Research Mentorship program

Canadian Optometric Education Trust