Light therapy restores vision to stroke survivors

Boca Raton, FL--In honor of National Stroke Awareness Month, NovaVision is detailing inspirational stroke survivor stories of vision recovery through the use of its clinically supported, FDA-cleared light stimulation-based Vision Restoration Therapy (VRT)—a non-invasive low-level light therapy (LLLT) or phototherapy treatment that has improved their sight and overall quality of life. Vycor Medical subsidiary NovaVision researches, develops, and provides science-driven light-based neurostimulation therapy and other medical technologies that restore sight to patients with neurological vision impairments.

Statistics show that stroke is a leading cause of serious long-term disability and, although each person is unique, stroke can affect people similarly with comparable disabilities such as partial blindness due to visual field loss—a condition previously believed to be untreatable. "While science shows that the brain can produce minimal spontaneous recovery within the first few months after a stroke occurs, some patients plateau and the words, ‘there’s nothing else that can be done’ can be extremely disheartening," says Tom Bridges, NovaVision VP of sales and marketing. "Vision Restoration Therapy (VRT) is a non-invasive approach to ‘rewire’ the visual nerves, aiming the healthy neurons to perform the function of those damaged or destroyed by a stroke—resulting in a wider visual field." Bridges continues, "VRT is supported by 15 years of clinical studies and patient testimonials and is intended for the diagnosis and improvement of visual functions in patients who have suffered a visual loss resulting from stroke, traumatic brain injury (“TBI”), or other acquired brain injuries."

Retired physician Dr. Ramon is a middle-aged man who experienced a left parietoocipital CVA (stroke) in 2001 after having surgery for Coronary Artery Bypass. As a residual deficit of the Stroke, he suffered from homonymous hemianopsia (right side visual loss in both eyes). "I lost about half of my field of vision, and at that time there were no options available for improving my visual field." Having homonymous hemianopsia made it very difficult for Dr. Ramon to read, watch TV, and go to the movies—things that he used to enjoy easily before his stroke. While searching the Internet Ramon found information on NovaVision’s Vision Restoration Therapy (VRT) non-invasive, clinically supported neurostimulation device. After learning more about VRT Dr. Ramon decided to move forward with the therapy and began performing VRT in the comfort of his home for just 30 minutes twice a day. "I read more often, I bought myself a new TV and am able see the entire screen, and even enjoy going to the movies again," says Ramon.

Another individual, Dan, at the incredibly young age of 25 suffered from two strokes when he had an AVM rupture (cerebral arteriovenous malformation), which led to swelling of the brain that left him almost completely blind in one eye and half blind in the other. The facility he went to after his stoke told him, "The way you see now is the way you will see for the rest of your life." Determined to find another answer, Dan searched for “vision loss after stroke” on Google and found NovaVision’s web site. Dan found the VRT non-invasive therapy to be easy to use and has recovered remarkably well—expanding his visual field significantly after completing only 6 months of therapy. "It is the best thing I have ever done in my life," Dan notes. Dan never gave up and, as a result, he is able to see his family and friends again. Dan recently celebrated his 30th birthday by regaining his driver’s license and his independence.

There are more than 6 million stroke survivors living today in America, of which about 20% may suffer from visual field loss—a previously unmet need in the stroke rehabilitation paradigm. Many types of vision loss can occur, but the most common kind is hemianopia described as a decreased or lost vision in half of the visual field. Other visual field deficits include scotoma (an island-like blind spot), quadrantoanopia (decreased or lost vision in a quarter of the visual field), and constriction (tunnel vision). Science shows that the brain can produce minimal spontaneous recovery after a stroke or TBI, but for those who no longer see improvement should receive a proper diagnosis from a physician and inquire about a vision rehabilitation plan like VRT that could help improve visual functions.

SOURCE: NovaVision; www.novavision.com