Stroke and the Eye: A Multidisciplinary Approach and the Role of the Neurosurgeon

The stroke awareness mnemonic FAST was expanded to BEFAST (adding B for balance and E for eye symptoms) to inform medical professionals and the public that sudden visual acuity or visual field loss, diplopia, and oscillopsia are symptoms that require prompt recognition and management as acute stroke syndromes. A high index of suspicion and an organized approach to triage are needed when facing these presentations in pre-hospital or hospital settings. The multidisciplinary collaboration between emergency providers, ophthalmologists, vascular neurologists, and vascular neurosurgeons is mandated for a prompt and accurate diagnosis, targeted evaluation and management, and optimized outcomes.