Assessment of visual problems after acquired brain injury: a survey of current practice in Danish hospitals.
Trine Schow, Eike Ines Wehling, Helle K Falkenberg and 2 others
PMID 38742932WHAT IT FOUND
Danish OTs and PTs rarely use standardized vision tests or formal guidelines when assessing patients with acquired brain injury.
Most rely on observation and interviews, lack specific training, and refer inconsistently. This variation suggests a need for structured protocols and education in visual assessment.
Key findings
01Most respondents never or rarely used standardized visual screening tests or vision questionnaires, relying instead on patient interviews, medical records, and observation.
02Only about one-third of departments had a specific guideline for visual assessment, and very few respondents had formal education in this area.
03Referral practices were inconsistent, with many respondents unsure where to refer patients with specific visual problems like reduced acuity or perception issues.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for PTsWhat it means for OTs
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What it does not show
The survey had an overrepresentation of OTs and PTs, with very few responses from other professions like physicians or speech-language pathologists, limiting the view of interdisciplinary practice. Participating departments may have had a pre-existing interest in visual problems, potentially introducing selection bias. The study was conducted only in Denmark, so findings may not apply to healthcare systems with different staffing models (e.g., those with orthoptists). Self-reported data may not accurately reflect actual clinical practice.
Declared interests
The authors declared no conflicts of interest.
The easy way to misread this
Do not interpret the low use of standardized tests as evidence that OTs and PTs are ineffective at identifying visual problems. The survey reports on current practice patterns, not on diagnostic accuracy or patient outcomes. Furthermore, these findings are specific to the Danish healthcare context and may not apply to systems with different professional roles or guidelines.