When should you worry about blurred vision if you have stroke?

A stroke can interrupt blood flow to areas of the brain that process vision or control eye movements. This may cause blurred or double vision, loss of part of the visual field, or difficulty judging where objects are. The change can happen with weakness, numbness, facial drooping, speech difficulty, confusion, dizziness, or loss of balance. Vision symptoms may be brief and still require urgent assessment.

Call emergency services immediately if the change is sudden or unexplained. Record the time the person was last known to be well, keep them sitting or lying safely, and do not give food, drink, or medicine unless emergency professionals advise it. Do not drive them yourself if an ambulance is available. Note any weakness, speech change, headache, or balance problem for the responders.

Get emergency help for any sudden blurred vision, vision loss, or double vision, especially with facial asymmetry, arm or leg weakness, numbness, trouble speaking, confusion, severe dizziness, collapse, or a new severe headache. Act even if the symptom improves. Someone with a previous stroke should follow their discharge plan while seeking immediate assessment for a new or changed symptom.

Ask what visual changes were caused by the stroke, how to recognise another event, which emergency number to use, and how medicines, blood pressure, and follow-up appointments support prevention.