People often experience blurry vision after brain trauma, especially from a concussion, a type of traumatic brain injury (TBI). In fact, about 90% of patients with a traumatic brain injury will experience some visual symptoms that can negatively affect their quality of life.
Fortunately, neuro-optometric therapy can offer relief to many patients with severe head injuries. If you've sustained a brain injury, contact Silicon Valley Eye Physicians in Sunnyvale to find out how we can help restore your vision and quality of life.
How Can Hitting Your Head Affect Your Vision?
While some minor head injuries result in nothing more than a bump or bruise, in more serious head injuries, known as traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), the brain impacts against the hard skull, often with powerful force. This impact can damage fragile nerves and blood vessels in the brain. Since 70% of our brain is responsible for visual processing, it’s no surprise that a TBI can cause blurred vision and other uncomfortable post-injury visual symptoms, such as:
- Headaches
- Eyestrain
- Sensitivity to light
- Dizziness
- Poor hand-eye coordination
- Double vision
- Confusion
- Memory problems
Why You Should Schedule an Appointment with a Neuro-Optometrist
When a head injury occurs, vision problems often take a backseat to more urgent concerns, such as relieving pressure on the brain or treating lacerations to the head or face. But that doesn’t mean vision problems can or should be ignored. Any vision problems related to a head injury can severely affect a person’s ability to work, study, drive and carry out day-to-day tasks.
A neuro-optometrist diagnoses and treats a whole range of communication problems between the visual system and the brain caused by traumatic brain injuries (TBI), physical disabilities or other neurological conditions, such as a stroke, Parkinson’s disease or multiple sclerosis.
Can Vision Be Restored After a Head Injury?
Yes, especially with the help of neuro-optometric rehabilitation. The first step is scheduling a functional eye exam with your neuro-optometrist. During the exam your eye doctor will test the following visual skills:
- Eye teaming
- Eye tracking
- Eye focusing
- Visual processing
- Peripheral vision
- Spatial awareness
- Lazy eye and eye turns
What Is Neuro-Optometric Rehabilitation?
Once your neuro-optometrist has diagnosed your condition, they will prescribe a customized program to relieve your symptoms. Neuro-optometric rehabilitation is a scientifically proven treatment plan that helps strengthen the functioning of the neurologically damaged visual system. The program relies on the brain’s neuroplasticity to improve the communication between the brain and the eyes.
Neuro-optometric rehabilitation therapy involves in-session training and at-home exercises that will help restore normal vision. These may include:
- Customized program of eye exercises
- Prism glasses that help the brain and eyes to work together
- Computer-assisted eye exercises
- Corrective eye patches
Want to see clearly again after a head injury? Schedule an appointment by contacting Silicon Valley Eye Physicians in Sunnyvale today!
Our practice serves patients from Sunnyvale, Los Altos, Mountain View, and Cupertino, California and surrounding communities.
Q: How Long Does Blurred Vision Last After a Head Injury?
- A: Although blurry vision sometimes goes away a couple of weeks after a head injury, it’s best not to leave it to chance, hoping visual problems will correct on their own. If you experience any vision problems after a head injury, it’s recommended to schedule an appointment with a neuro-optometrist. Neuro-optometric therapy can often correct blurry vision long-term by dealing with the root cause of your vision problems following a TBI.
Q: Is a Traumatic Brain Injury the Same as a Concussion?
- A: A TBI is damage to the brain caused by impact. A concussion is considered a milder type of TBI. However, even a mild concussion can cause significant vision problems.
