Eye test 'could detect stroke risk'

A pair of goggles designed to measure eye movements can identify whether a hospital patient is suffering from a case of dizziness or a life-threatening stroke, a new study claims.

Published in the April issue of the journal Stroke, the study was conducted by Dr David Newman-Toker of the John Hopkins University School of Medicine in the United States.

Every year thousands of strokes are misdiagnosed, resulting in the patient unnecessarily suffering severe physical impairments or even death.

"This is the first study demonstrating that we can accurately discriminate strokes and non-strokes using this device," said Dr Newman-Toker.

He added that speed is the key to treating a stroke and potentially saving a life. Magnetic resonance imaging goggles can assess a potential stroke quickly and cost healthcare providers just $1,200 (£800).

Despite these claims, Dr Newman-Toker's study has come under some criticism.

Dr Daniel Labovitz, director of the Stern Stroke Centre at Montefiore Medical Centre in New York said that the study could not accurate because it was only carried out on 12 people, but further trials are now planned.

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