A “proof of principle” study using 3 simple and quick eye tests, correctly identified 69 out of 69 patients with stroke. All 69 of the patients had at least one risk factor for stroke (high blood pressure, previous history of stroke or heart attack, diabetes, cigarette smoking, age are some of the more common ones) and presented with nausea, dizziness, and spinning sensation.  Initial MRIs gave 8 false-negatives which were picked up on the follow up MRI.

The results were published in the journal Stroke 2009;40:3504-3510. The 3 eye tests give clinicians a quick, easy to use method. The first test involves moving the patient’s head rapidly from side to side. An inability to keep the eyes stable is a positive sign. Any jerky eye movements that occurred when following the examiner’s finger by moving just the eyes and not the head, was also a positive sign of stroke. The third test checked to see if one eye position was higher than the other.

The study results were also reported in Clinical Advisor. You can read more about this here. For more information about stroke and the warning signs, you can follow the links below to other articles.

Stroke Treatment Delays Despite Early Arrival in EDs

Mini Stroke/TIA: What Are the Signs?

Central Nervous System: Strokes

High Blood Pressure and Stroke: Why It’s a Major Risk Factor

Diagnosing Stroke: What Tests to Expect in the Hospital