When the Eyes and Brain Stop Working Together After a Concussion
A concussion or traumatic brain injury doesn’t just affect memory, mood, or balance—it can also disrupt the vital connection between your eyes and your brain. Research shows that at least 50% of people with a traumatic brain injury experience visual dysfunction, and some studies report rates as high as 90%.
Unfortunately, these visual problems are often overlooked during initial medical evaluations. Symptoms may not appear until days, weeks, or even months after the injury. And while a routine eye exam may show that the eyes are “healthy” and seeing clearly, that doesn’t always tell the full story. The problem often lies deeper—in how the brain processes visual information. This condition is known as Post Trauma Vision Syndrome (PTVS).
Common Vision Problems After a Concussion
The symptoms of Post Trauma Vision Syndrome can vary widely. Some last only moments, while others can persist for months or even years. Common visual problems include:
👁️Sensitivity to Motion
Many people feel dizzy, disoriented, or uncomfortable when scrolling on a phone or computer, or when in visually busy environments like grocery stores, social gatherings, or sporting events.
🧠Difficulty with Eye Movements
Precise eye movements are essential for reading and tracking moving objects—skills that can be disrupted after a concussion.
👁️Eye Pain and Headaches
Sore or strained eyes and frequent headaches are common complaints following head trauma.
🧠Dizziness and Balance Problems
Visual disruptions can throw off the body’s sense of balance, leading to dizziness or unsteadiness.
👁️Light Sensitivity and Glare
Bright lights, sunlight, or screen glare may suddenly become unbearable. LCD screens, such as those on computers and smartphones, can be particularly bothersome after a concussion.
🧠Blurry or Double Vision
Some patients experience blurry or double vision, which can make reading, walking, or even standing upright difficult.
👁️Binocular Vision Problems
When the two eyes struggle to work together, patients may develop:
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Convergence Insufficiency – difficulty turning the eyes inward to focus on near tasks like reading.
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Depth Perception Issues – trouble judging where objects are in space, leading to clumsiness or poor eye-hand coordination.
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Peripheral Vision Loss – reduced awareness of objects or people off to the side, causing a tendency to bump into things or be startled easily.
What You Can Do
If you or someone you know is experiencing these symptoms after a concussion, it’s important to get evaluated by an optometrist who specializes in neuro-optometric rehabilitation. These doctors are trained to assess and manage the visual complications that can follow a head injury. Our vision practice in Charleston, Brighter Outlook Vision, is led by a neuro-optometrist, Dr. Jesse Willingham, who specializes in helping people overcome these post-brain injury visual challenges.
Treatment often involves a team-based approach, with vision rehabilitation playing a vital role in recovery and helping the brain reestablish efficient visual communication.
To find a provider trained in post-trauma vision care, visit noravisionrehab.org.
For more general information and concussion resources, explore concussionfoundation.org.
What Is Neuro-Optometric Rehabilitation?
Neuro-optometric rehabilitation is a specialized, individualized form of care designed to restore visual function following brain injury or neurological disease.
Optometrists trained in this field use tools such as therapeutic lenses, prisms, and vision therapy to help retrain the visual system and improve the connection between the eyes and brain.
During your evaluation, a Neuro-Optometric Rehabilitation Optometrist will test:
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Eye movement and coordination
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Depth perception and spatial awareness
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Posture and balance
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Visual memory and visual-motor integration
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How vision interacts with other sensory systems like the vestibular (balance) system
Because every brain injury is different, each treatment plan is customized to the individual’s unique needs. Research and clinical experience show that patients who complete vision rehabilitation programs often experience significant improvement in their daily function and quality of life. A recent study showed that office-based vision therapy is effective in improving concussion-related vision issues and that “immediate initiation of office-based vision therapy compared with delayed initiation shortens the period of symptoms experienced and fosters an earlier return to activities.”
A Team Approach to Recovery
Vision rehabilitation is often just one piece of the puzzle. Many patients benefit from an interdisciplinary approach that includes collaboration with other professionals such as neurologists, physical and occupational therapists, speech-language pathologists, neuropsychologists, and rehabilitation physicians.
Working together, these specialists help ensure the best possible recovery for individuals healing from concussion, stroke, or other neurological disorders.
Ready to See the Full Picture?
If you’ve ever wondered whether your eyes and brain are truly working together, we’d love to help.
📅 Schedule a Functional Vision Evaluation to uncover what 20/20 alone can’t tell you.
👉 Contact us today or call our office to learn more about how vision therapy can help you or your child thrive — at school, at work, and in life.
