Do You Know How Brain Injuries Can Affect Vision?

Brain injuries can have numerous negative impacts on the body, but one impact that may get overlooked, is the impact brain injuries can have on vision.

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Do You Know How Brain Injuries Can Affect Vision? Optometrist

Do You Know How Brain Injuries Can Affect Vision? Videos

Vision and Brain Injuries
Amplify EyeCare Chattanooga
Dr. Heather McBryar

Common Vision Problems Caused By Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI)
American Family Vision Clinic
Dr. Levi Zurcher

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Almost 3 million Americans each year (and over 10 million people globally) suffer from traumatic brain injuries, which can result from motor vehicle injuries, physical violence, strokes, or simple falls. Of these, studies show that approximately, in addition to other impacts from the head trauma, 90% of such injuries result in some form of vision issue. While there is more understanding now of the link between brain injuries and vision problems, they can still sometimes remain undiagnosed for extended periods of time.

The most common cause of traumatic brain injuries are simple falls, followed by sports injuries (especially among younger people), blunt force trauma, motor vehicle accidents, and physical violence.

What Causes Vision Problems Following Traumatic Brain Injuries?

Apart from the obvious potential damage to the eyes and the brain, the brain-eye connection (the communication between these two components of the vision system) can be disrupted, leading to a wide range of problems.

Following traumatic brain injuries, the communication link between the eyes and brain is often disrupted, resulting in the high rate of vision problems following these injuries. The problems may be subtle or minor at first, but can become much more serious over time if left untreated.

Common causes of vision-related symptoms following a traumatic brain injury can be linked to several problems, including:

Damage to the eyes
Impairment of the brain’s ability to process and recall visual information
Impairment of control over the muscles which control eye movement and focus
Diminished ability of the eyes to move together.

What Sort of Vision Problems Can Result from a Traumatic Brain Injury?

There is a wide range of potential problems which can result, and some might be more noticeable than others. They include:

Sensitivity to light and to glare
Difficulty reading
Reading comprehension difficulties
Blurry vision
Double vision
Vision problems that result from a TBI typically cause difficulties with balance, reading, and driving.
Reduction or loss of visual field
Eye aching or pain
Frequent headaches
Difficulty with attention and concentration
Memory issues

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How Are Vision Issues From a Traumatic Brain Injury Treated?

The first step is properly recognizing symptoms and having them diagnosed through a comprehensive vision exam. These are given by neuro-optometrists, who specialize in vision issues caused by traumatic brain injuries. Once the precise problems are determined, the doctor will devise a personalized treatment based on your unique situation.

Treatment methods can include:

Neuro-optometric rehabilitation therapy
Phototherapy programs
Eye muscle surgery

No matter your symptoms, it is important to seek diagnosis and treatment early, to prevent any problems from becoming worse.

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