Concussion Care

Each year, an estimated 4-5 million individuals suffer concussions, making it the most common type of brain injury. Contrary to popular belief, a concussion doesn’t necessarily require a significant blow to the head or major blunt trauma. In fact, it can also be caused by significant shaking of the head or upper body, which is why motor vehicle accidents and falls are among the most common causes.

When a concussion occurs, it can change the way the brain functions. Physical symptoms of a concussion typically include headaches or vision problems. There can also be a multitude of cognitive symptoms as well, such as changes in visual perception, difficulty sleeping and the general feeling of being in a fog. Timely and effective treatment of concussion are key, and neuro vision rehabilitation therapy is frequently a component of such a treatment protocol.

Visual Effects of a Concussion

Nearly 70% of the brain’s neural connections are related to vision in some capacity. As such, it’s not surprising to see vision problems arise in the wake of a brain injury. Concussions in particular can have a number of specific effects on the visual system, including but not limited to:

• Accommodative Insufficiency (reduction in eye focus)
• Convergence Insufficiency (inability to comfortably and accurately see close up)
• Blurred Vision
• Double Vision
• Sudden or Increased Light Sensitivity
• Ocular Motor Dysfunction (deficiency in eye movement abilities)
• Visual Perception Deficits
• Reduction in Visual Processing Speed and/or Reaction Time

These symptoms can result in a number of other concerns, including physical ailments, like headache and fatigue, and can often interfere in everyday activities, such as reading and driving.

Signs of a Potential Concussion

Individuals who may have suffered a concussion may exhibit the following signs and symptoms:

• Headaches
• Light Sensitivity
• Seeing Double
• Blurry Vision
• Eye Fatigue
• Dizziness, Disorientation or Motion Sickness
• Slow or Difficulty Reading
• Poor Concentration
• Delayed Visual Memory

The presence of any of these signs or symptoms, particularly following a possible brain injury, should warrant a professional evaluation. It’s also important to note that concussion does not always result in a loss of consciousness. Furthermore, roughly 10-20% of concussed patients will experience these symptoms for weeks, months or even more than a year. So, even if there is no recent injury, a concussion may still be the culprit.

How Can Neuro Vision Rehabilitation Help?

Fortunately, many of the conditions and symptoms caused by concussion can be effectively managed by an experienced neuro-optometric professional. In fact, most of the common visual effects of mild traumatic brain injury respond very well to neuro vision rehabilitation.

Following a comprehensive evaluation, our experts will work with you to develop an individualized treatment strategy that may include the use of lenses, filters, prisms, therapeutic exercises or some combination of these.

​​​​​​​If you or someone you care about has suffered from a concussion, or you are unsure and simply suspect this may be the case, contact The Center for Vision Development today to schedule a professional consultation and evaluation.