You must get a vision evaluation immediately if you or a loved one has suffered a concussion. The results of this evaluation can be life-changing. These evaluations will help you determine your vision loss, how it affects your daily tasks, and how you can use vision therapy to help you.
Double Vision After a Concussion
Double vision is a common symptom after a concussion. This condition is caused by damage to eye muscles and nerves that cause the eyes to diverge when they focus. It is also a warning sign of a more serious neurological disorder. People with double vision may also experience migraine with aura, vertigo, or impaired balance.
Vision therapy is effective in correcting the vision problems associated with Post Concussion Vision Syndrome. One study found that 85 percent of concussion patients with convergence insufficiency (difficulty focusing) had improved vision after vision therapy. Convergence insufficiency occurs when the eyes cannot work together to focus on a near object.
Vision therapy involves non-surgical therapeutic procedures and focused exercises on helping patients regain normal vision. Vision therapy may help individuals with double vision after a concussion or other vision problems.
Ocular Dysfunction After Concussion
Ocular dysfunction after a concussion is a common problem associated with head injuries. As many as 90% of people experience visual symptoms following a concussion. These symptoms are caused by a combination of physical eye problems and dysfunction in brain-eye communication. Fortunately, neuro-optometric rehabilitation can help these patients overcome their vision issues.
The symptoms associated with this condition can include double vision, headaches, and difficulty focusing. The effects of the condition can also affect a person’s ability to read or see up close. As a result, vision therapy may be necessary to restore normal vision. But it is crucial to remember that vision therapy is not a cure for a concussion.
Ocular dysfunction after a concussion is a severe problem that can persist for weeks or even months. While rare, GPs must be alert for patients with persistent oculomotor symptoms after a concussion. In addition, GPs must work to establish strong links with ophthalmologists to ensure that their patients receive the best treatment. GPs should also consider prescribing ocular rehabilitation exercises for patients with persistent vision problems after a concussion.
Home-Based Vision Therapy
Start home-based vision therapy if you’ve suffered a concussion and have vision problems. Typically, Vision Therapy for Concussions involves two or three 15-minute sessions per week. The goal is to eliminate visual problems after approximately four weeks. If, however, the problems persist, you may need more time and more specialized care. Neuro-optometrists, also known as neuro-rehabilitation specialists, specialize in treating these vision disorders.
Many concussion patients experience vision problems, which are often overlooked. These vision problems can cause headaches, blurred vision, and difficulty focusing on objects. Additionally, a concussion can impair eye coordination and reduce reading comprehension.
Ocular Motor Deficits After Concussion
Among the visual consequences of concussion is impaired eye movement. This can be treated by neuro-optometric rehabilitation. Neuro-optometric rehabilitation uses lenses, tints, yoked prisms, and photo-light therapy to help patients regain vision after a concussion. These therapies can provide immediate relief and ease the rehabilitation process.
To identify articles on the subject, the researchers searched PubMed using Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) terms for a brain concussion, vision, eye movements, and visual dysfunction. The literature search revealed a total of 363 records. Of those, only two studies were relevant and had adequate power to show whether vision therapy was effective.
Impairments may cause visual motor deficits after concussive head trauma in smooth pursuit eye movements (SPEMs). Two case-control studies have supported the finding. Moreover, impaired smooth pursuit eye movements may signify post-concussive syndrome.
Perceptual Deficits After Concussion
Patients with concussions who receive vision treatment can enhance their visual abilities. Various vision exercises are used in this therapy to enhance eye teaming, oculomotor control, and visual processing. Additionally, it enhances eye-head coordination, balance, and vestibular dysfunction.
One of the most common residual impairments of head injury is visual-perceptual dysfunction. Many traumatic brain injury survivors experience difficulties with binocular function, including strabismus, publicity, oculomotor dysfunction, and convergence and accommodative abnormalities. This condition can impair visual perception in both directions and can result in problems with near and far objects.
Vision problems after a concussion can lead to headaches, eye strain, double vision, and fatigue. Some of these symptoms may go away with time, while others may require active treatment.
