Stroke victims offered hope of regaining lost sight

THOUSANDS of patients left blind or partially sighted after a stroke are being offered fresh hope by Scottish researchers.

Scientists at Aberdeen University have developed a pioneering device aimed at "rehabilitating" the eye, which appears to help victims with partial loss regain some vision.

Researchers at the university's school of psychology have developed a computer program linked to a television in the patient's home. It stimulates the brain's visual pathways and helps restore a patient's vision.

Patients each spend half an hour, three times day, in front of the screen, training their eyes to detect various visual targets.

Dr Arash Sahraie, who led the research team, said: "All 12 patients in the study showed significant improvements."

Every year 55,000 people across Europe suffer partial loss of vision following a stroke.