Visual disturbances and blurry vision after an acquired brain injury is not uncommon. However, they are often overlooked during initial treatment of a brain injury. This is because in some cases, the symptoms may not be present for some time following the injury. If you notice any changes in your vision following head trauma, don’t ignore them. Immediately contact your eye care professional. It is important to determine the cause of the vision change. Early diagnosis leads to appropriate treatment and/or referral to a specialist, such as a Neuro-Optometric Rehabilitation Optometrist.
Disorders in the visual system can have serious consequences if left untreated. Vision disturbances can lead to balance issues, dizziness, poor depth perception and the inability to organize and make sense of the visual world around you.
Some typical visual symptoms include:
Visual Field Loss – Partial or complete vision loss can also occur after a head trauma. The area of the brain that has been affected as well as the extent of the damage will determine your field of view. This may cause such problems as bumping into objects, being struck by approaching objects, or sudden falls.
Eye Pain and Headaches – Whether it is a stabbing pain, dull ache around the eye, or even redness, burning or itching, you may experience eye discomfort following head trauma. Headaches can be long-lasting, even past one year from injury. These symptoms can make it hard to carry out daily activities, making decisions and memory recall can be difficult.
Sensitivity to Light - Brain injury is often accompanied by increased light sensitivity and general inability to tolerate glare. Photophobia, or sensitivity to light, can be exacerbated by specific light sources, such as bright sunlight and fluorescent lighting. Recent studies have also suggested that LCD screens (such as from computers or smartphone devices) can be particularly bothersome after a concussion
In addition to the tests included in a general optometric vision examination there are some additional things the neuro-optometrist will assess. This includes eye focusing ability. This is blurred vision or the ability to shift focus between objects near and objects far may be compromised. Eye teaming, the eyes may not work together properly as a team even to the point of experiencing double vision. Eye movements, difficulty with eye movements when reading or trying to follow a moving object (like a ball being thrown). Losing your place while reading is a common complaint. Motion sensitivity, the integration between the vision and balance system can be disrupted, making it difficult to process motion properly. Symptoms can include discomfort and even dizziness when scrolling on a computer screen or phone, or when in busy environments such as grocery stores, social settings, or sporting events.
There is treatment available if visual deficits are uncovered. If any of these symptoms sound familiar, please seek out a complete vision assessment by a neuro-optometrist in your area. You can find a functional optometrist specializing in neuro-optometry on the following website www.noravisionrehab.org.
Here is a wonderful video made by a colleague, Dr. Susan Daniels, that explains some of what a neuro-optometrist can help with.
We are here to help!
Dr. Manisha B. Geiger