Vision is our dominant sense. It helps us to gather information about the world around us and to carry out our daily living activities effectively. We need to both receive and interpret visual information for normal visual functioning to occur. Following a stroke, several visual problems can occur depending on the site and size of the lesion.
Warren (1993) provides a hierarchical framework for the assessment and treatment of visual skills in which each skill level is dependent on those below it. This highlights the need to assess basic visual functions (at the bottom of the pyramid) as they form the foundation for the higher visual processes.
Reproduced with permission from the creator of the hierarchy Mary Warren PhD, OTR/L SCLV, FAOTA. Associate Professor Emerita of Occupational Therapy at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB); visAbilities Rehab Services Inc.
Visual cognition
The ability to mentally manipulate visual information and integrate it with other sensory information for problem solving, decision making and learning.
Visual memory
Ability to process, store and recall visual information. This includes being able to retain a picture of an object in the mind’s eye.
Pattern recognition
Ability to identify and recognise the salient features of an object including colour, form, texture and shape.
Scanning
An organised and systematic search of the visual scene with regular efficient eye movements
Visual attention
TThe ability to attend to, and shift attention between, visual information.
Oculomotor control
Smooth coordinated movements of both eyes together.
Visual fields
The area that is seen at any one time, usually 160 – 180 degrees.
Visual acuity
The accuracy and clarity of an image.
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Page last reviewed: 28 Jul 2021
