As an optometrist at Amplify EyeCare Chattanooga in Hixson, one of the most common questions Dr. Heather McBryar often encounters […]
More than 50% of neurologically impaired patients have a visual or visual-cognitive disorder. A stroke is a neurological episode that causes impairment and it is essential to take care of your vision after experiencing a stroke. Learn about neuro optometric rehabilitation and how it can help you.
The objective of neuro vision rehabilitation is a customized treatment plan created by an optometrist specializing in neuro optometric rehabilitation, taking account of the patient's specific needs, which may include visual, cognitive, and motor impairments. These patients, who span all ages, have a visual impairment which could be caused by a variety of neurological factors, including suffering from a stroke. Unfortunately, it is not uncommon for the visual deficits that these patients are experiencing to be misunderstood which can lead to a misdiagnosis, such as a learning disability or an attention deficit disorder. Neuro optometry uses the principle of brain plasticity to retrain the brain how to properly communicate with the eyes in order to strengthen the visual system after a stroke.
Neuro vision rehabilitation treats many visual conditions, including:
A referral for neuro-vision rehabilitation can improve a patient's quality of life.
Research shows that vision is involved in approximately up to 85% of our learning, perception, cognition and activities.
There are three main aspects of vision:
A patient who suffered from a stroke can experience issues with any of these components of the visual system and may or may not notice the change in his or her visual abilities.
There are other characteristic types of damage to the visual system that can occur after a stroke:
Dry Eyes
Some people who have suffered a stroke have a hard time blinking or fully closing their eyes which can affect the moistness of their eyes and can lead to dry eyes. This can cause a burning sensation, irritation, and/ or blurry vision.
Eye Movement Disorders
There are various ways that a stroke can affect the nerves and muscles that control your eye movements. Some examples include:
The third cranial nerve, known as the oculomotor nerve, and the third nerve nuclei are particularly vulnerable following a stroke. Due to the fact that these innervate eight out of twelve of the extraocular muscles, there are certain characteristic signs and symptoms that can be noticed after a stroke. Similarly, the sixth cranial nerve and nuclei are also susceptible to damage due to a stroke. The sixth nerve is known as the abducens nerve and it innervates two of the twelve extraocular muscles.
| Oculomotor Nerve Damage Can Cause: | Abducens Nerve Damage Can Cause: |
|
|
There are many other ways that the eyes can be affected, but above are some of the most typical eye conditions caused by a stroke.
There is a field within optometry which has been proven to greatly improve a stroke survivor’s visual system. Neuro optometric rehabilitation can allow one to reclaim their independence and even regain visual abilities after suffering from visual damage due to a stroke.
Neuro optometric rehabilitation is vision care that goes beyond the simple correction of eyesight via contact lenses and eyeglasses. In particular, it focuses on the neurological side of the larger visual system, which includes not only the eyes, but the brain as well. As such, neuro optometric rehabilitation therapy centers around improving the brain-eye connection to treat a wide range of vision problems.
Our optometrist utilizes a wide variety of exercises and visual learning games, along with devices such as specialized lenses, to help attain, improve, or regain the important visual skills which will help resolve the patients’ visual issues.
Low vision is the result of partial but irreversible visual impairment. A diagnosis does not mean that one is blind. It just means that the patient has problems that cannot be corrected with conventional interventions, and that he or she may require vision devices and training to enhance the remaining eyesight. In most instances, a person retains some degree of vision that usually responds well to specialty glasses or to other vision aids. The field of low vision is dedicated to helping patients reclaim their independence and improve their quality of life, despite any visual impairment.
The objective of neuro vision rehabilitation is a customized treatment plan created by an optometrist specializing in neuro optometric rehabilitation, taking account of the patient's specific needs, which may include visual, cognitive, and motor impairments. Some people who have suffered a stroke have a hard time blinking or fully closing their eyes which can affect the moistness of their eyes and can lead to dry eyes. This can cause a burning sensation, irritation, and/ or blurry vision.
Vision therapy is well worth the response, time and effort. Our Son had a hard time focusing and writing neatly. After vision therapy Seth could complete a task in half the time if previously took. His abilities to focus improved greatly and so did his handwriting.
Also, he was better at listening. As a parent, we wanted learning to be fun for our Son, and vision therapy made this possible.
Vision Therapy is well worth the expense, time and effort. Our son had a hard time focusing handwriting neatly. After vision therapy Seth could complete a task in half the time it previously took his abilities to focus and improved greatly and so did his handwriting.
Also, he was better at listening. As a parent you wanted learning to be fun for our son and vision therapy made this possible.
Vision Therapy has given or son the tools he needs to be able to scan and read the written word more effectively and efficiently.
He love working with John and these working sessions give him the motivation to gladly work on his homework assignments.
It amazed us to see the difference in the tracking of his eyes and along a line of it's from the beginning to the end of the treatment.
Dr. McBryar , Kristen and John are all marvelous and we would recommend them to anyone I only wish that we would have found them sooner!
Prior to coming to the institute for vision development my son complained of daily headaches. Therapy has eliminated his headaches completely. I love knowing my son is able to learn pain-free for the rest of his life because of the work that has been done over just a few weeks in this office. He he absolutely loved coming that didn't even feel like going to a doctor or therapy. We are grateful for the relief he was able to find by coming here.
Thank you!
Seems much less frustrated with life
Reads non-stop and fast
Spelling abilities have been hugely improved
Seems much more confident
Thank You!!!
When we first came to the practice, my son did not have huge issues, but lots of small ones- trouble with reading, sports (hitting the baseball consistently), coordination, etc- that were not easily detectable,but when put together presented issues. The staff here were all very professional and loving towards him. While I was concerned in the reading, my son was concerned with the athletic side. Seeing improvement night off the bat gave him confidence that i have nor seen in him and made him want to not only Come to therapy, but also made him want to work hard. He has surpassed his grade level and above in reading and hit his first home run this year! Thank you!!!
As an optometrist at Amplify EyeCare Chattanooga in Hixson, one of the most common questions Dr. Heather McBryar often encounters […]
Is foggy vision troubling you? Let our experienced optometrist restore your sight – book an appointment today and see the […]
According to the National Eye Institute, nystagmus affects approximately 0.24% of the general population in the United States. This means […]
Monday - Tuesday
7:30AM - 5:15PM
Wednesday - Thursday
8:00AM - 5:15PM
Friday - Sunday
Closed
