Concussion/Acquired Brain Injury

In addition to working with children and other persons suffering from vision development problems, vision therapy also helps individuals who are experiencing visual complaints stemming from a head injury.

There are two types of acquired brain injuries:

1. Traumatic brain injury refers to damage to the brain as a result of mechanical force. Concussion falls under this category. Examples of this specific injury include direct impact, whiplash such as rapid acceleration or deceleration, blast, or penetration.

2. Non-traumatic brain injury refers to damage as a result of an internal or external source without physical trauma. This would include an injury resulting from an infection, ischemia, stroke, or brain tumor.
   
   

An estimated 90% of individuals develop visual complications following brain injuries. These symptoms may include:

• Double vision

• Headaches

• Blurred vision

• Dizziness or nausea

• Light sensitivity

• Eyestrain or eye irritation during or after reading

• Attention or concentration difficulties

• Staring behavior (low blink rate)

• Spatial disorientation

• Losing place when reading

• Can’t find the next line when reading

• Visual memory problems

• Pulls away from objects when they are brought close to them

• Binocular vision dysfunction (difficulty using the two eyes together)

• Difficulty shifting focus from near to far

• Words move or blur when reading

• Objects appear to move

• Unstable peripheral vision

• Associated neuromotor difficulties with balance, coordination, and posture

• Perceived movement of stationary objects

• Consistently stays to one side of hallway or room

• Bumps into objects when walking

• Poor walking or posture: leans back on heels, forward, or to one side when walking, standing, or seated in a chair

• Perception of the floor being tilted