VISION THERAPY FOR
POST TRAUMA VISION SYNDROME
(CONCUSSION)
CAN A CONCUSSION CAUSE VISION CAUSES?
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Yes. A concussion or a head injury can cause significant changes to how we see and how we use our eyes together. Vision goes beyond seeing 20/20. Our day to day vision encompasses being able to see clearly, being able to actively focus our vision for near work, being able to coordinate and team our two eyes together, being able to track our eyes through space and text, and being able to decode visual information. Most of our "seeing" occurs within the brain, not within the eyeballs. This means that a hit to the head, or a brain injury can cause a shift in the pathways that connect and relay information from the eyes to the brain, and back from the brain to the eyes and to our other senses. When vision is impacted by a concussion or a head injury it is called Post Trauma Vision Syndrome.
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF
POST TRAUMA VISION SYNDROME?
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- Light sensitivity
- Difficulty reading for long periods of time
- Blurry vision or double vision when reading
- Headaches with extended near work
- Difficulty in busy environments (ex. grocery stores or malls)
- Difficulty with balance and walking towards one side
- Double vision
- Difficulty with depth perception
HOW CAN I GET ASSESSED?
COMPREHENSIVE EYE EXAM
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A comprehensive eye exam is a critical first step. Here we check if all of the anatomy of the eye is healthy and has not been impacted by the trauma. A dilated eye exam is critical to ensure the retina is healthy. In addition we check if a prescription is needed to provide clear vision.
IN DEPTH BINOCULAR VISION ASSESSMENT
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A binocular vision examination is a more in-depth examination of the eye focusing, eye teaming, and eye tracking system. Specialized prescriptions are tested that may include prism, reading prescriptions, or modified patching techniques. This examination allows us to assess if vision therapy may be helpful.
VISUAL INFORMATION PROCESSING, PRIMITIVE REFLEXES, VISUAL MOTOR INTEGRATION ASSESSMENT
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Should further testing in the area of visual processing and visual-motor integration be required, we generally do it on a separate day as the testing can be long and tiring. This allows us to better customize our treatment and therapy plan for each individual patient. This assessment is done on an as needed basis.
REPORT, CUSTOMIZED TREATMENT PLAN AND VISION THERAPY
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After all testing is completed a report is sent to the patient and referring doctor. A treatment plan is formulated with the patient and their to ensure all their goals are met. The treatment plan may include a glasses prescription, prism prescription, modified patching, and/or vision therapy.