Restoring Vision, Balance, and Quality of Life with Vision Rehabilitation After a Brain Injury
Have You Had a Concussion or Traumatic Brain Injury?
Vision rehabilitation can help people with:
- Head and traumatic brain injury (TBI)
- Concussion
- Cerebral vascular accidents (CVA)
- Cerebral palsy (CP)
- Parkinson’s disease
- Autism
- Multiple sclerosis
- Diabetic neuropathy
- Other adults and children experiencing visual symptoms
Do you experience blurry or double vision? Have difficulties maintaining attention, reading, driving or using a computer?
A variety of vision problems may develop following a traumatic brain injury (including concussion) and stroke. Fortunately, a neurooptometrist can significantly improve these and other vision problems caused by the events below with a program of optometric vision rehabilitation and therapy:
Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
Because more areas of the brain are used to process vision than any other system, traumatic brain injuries often result in vision problems. In fact, studies show that 90% of TBI patients experience some form of vision disruption, which is caused by interrupted communication between the eyes and the brain.
Mild Brain Injury (mTBI) – Concussions
Though considered mild, a concussion is still a brain injury that can cause ongoing debilitating symptoms and alter the normal function of one’s brain.
The most affected demographic are children and teens, and of those, more than 60% experience visual symptoms. Older people are also prone to concussions. If you or a family member has sustained a concussion or even whiplash — such as from a violent blow to the head — we strongly urge you to get your eyes examined as soon as possible.
Stroke
A stroke (also called a cerebrovascular accident, or CVA) occurs when there’s a sudden interruption of the blood supply to part of the brain, or a blood vessel in the brain bursts, spilling blood into the spaces surrounding brain cells. The ocular changes associated with stroke can be categorized as sensory (visual acuity and visual field), motor (extraocular muscle motility) and perceptual.
The Intersection of Neuroscience and Optometry
Vision rehabilitation is a customized treatment program for patients whose stroke, traumatic brain injury, concussion, neurological condition or disease has resulted in visual deficits. It applies the latest methods and knowledge of neuro-plasticity and visual function to help patients develop or regain the essential visual skills necessary for learning and optimal daily function.
An undiagnosed vision condition, or one resulting from a traumatic brain injury or neurological disease, can result in the following problems:
- Double-vision
- Blurred vision
- Eye-teaming and eye-tracking problems
- Visual field loss
- Extreme sensitivity to light (photophobia)
- Eye focusing problems
As part of an interdisciplinary approach, vision rehabilitation targets the underlying cause of the symptoms listed above.
If you or a loved one is suffering from neurological disease, trauma or conditions, you should be tested for underlying visual problems. Reach out to schedule a functional vision evaluation with us.
Learn More About Vision Rehabilitation
Optometric Vision Rehabilitation is very effective in resolving a range of vision problems resulting from brain injuries and neurological disorders. Our highly trained North Charleston-based doctor can diagnose issues with eye-teaming, focusing, visual tracking, and visual information processing, and prescribe the most effective optometric vision rehabilitation program so that you can live your best life!
Do Vision Problems Develop Right After a Brain Injury?
Visual problems following a brain injury tend to be overlooked during the initial treatment, since the patient may have serious and life-threatening issues that require urgent medical attention. Furthermore, symptoms may not even present themselves until some time has passed following the injury. The earlier you see a Neuro-Optometric Rehabilitation Optometrist, the better.
Note that early diagnosis leads to more efficient treatment.
How Long Is the Vision Rehabilitation Process?
Certain rehabilitation programs may last weeks or months, whereas others may last years — it all depends on the severity of the injury and the resulting visual impact.
Who Can Benefit From Vision Rehabilitation?
Vision rehabilitation can help people with:
- Head and traumatic brain injury (TBI)
- Concussion
- Cerebral vascular accidents (CVA)
- Cerebral palsy (CP)
- Parkinson’s disease
- Autism
- Multiple sclerosis
- Diabetic neuropathy
- Other adults and children experiencing visual symptoms
Daniel, aged 62, suffered with double vision after having a stroke. Even after years of rehabilitation in occupational and physical therapy he was still unable to read comfortably as parts of the page seemed to be missing.
After several months of vision therapy Daniel’s visual field became normal. After completing his vision therapy program, Daniel was able to read 5 books in 3 months. He also stopped asking his wife the same questions, as his short term memory improved.
