Vision After an Acquired Brain Injury

According to research, 90% of traumatic brain injuries cause visual dysfunctions.

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Vision After an Acquired Brain Injury in Hixson

Find out if you need to see an optometrist by taking the Double Vision Quiz

What is acquired brain injury?

An acquired brain injury is essentially an event or condition that has affected one’s brain after birth. Meaning it’s not a condition that results from a birth trauma, nor is it genetic or degenerative. An acquired brain injury could be a traumatic brain injury, caused by an external force such as a motor vehicle accident, a bad fall or a sports injury. An acquired brain injury could also be a non-traumatic brain injury, often resulting from a disease, such as in the case of a stroke, lack of oxygen or a tumor, just to name a few.

What is a neuro-optometrist?

A neuro-optometrist is trained to work with people who have suffered from visual issues resulting from an acquired brain injury. A routine eye exam does not necessarily pick up on certain visual impairments caused by a brain injury, whereas an evaluation with a neuro-optometrist will diagnose the impact a brain injury has had on the person’s visual system, even if visual symptoms have not yet surfaced or been noticed by the patient.

Following the diagnosis, a neuro-optometric rehabilitation treatment plan will be customized for each patient’s needs. The goal of this treatment is to fix the underlying problems caused by the acquired brain injury, namely to retrain the neurological connections in the brain in order to properly communicate with both eyes which then allows for optimal visual function.

What are symptoms of vision related issues resulting from acquired brain injury?

Double vision
Blurry vision
Eye pain or discomfort
Glare sensitivity
Sensitivity to light
Visual field loss
Headaches
Difficulty maintaining focus or eye contact
Reading and comprehension challenges
Attention difficulties
Memory challenges
Poor balance

Symptoms will not always appear right after the acquired brain injury, however the visual impact can be diagnosed by a neuro-optometrist even before symptoms appear and therefore it’s recommended to schedule an appointment as soon as possible, following the brain injury.

What can be done to treat vision problems resulting from acquired brain injury?

Each person requiring treatment for vision problems resulting from acquired brain injury is a unique case and receives a customized treatment plan that is optimal for his or her visual challenges and demands. There are various methods of treatment which can be used on its own or combined to yield the best results:

Vision therapy
Neuro optometric rehabilitation therapy
Corrected lenses and/ or prisms
Phototherapy which is light therapy or syntonic optometry

Summary

All of the above approaches work on fixing the underlying problem which is a neurological disruption in the communication between both eyes and the brain due to an acquired brain injury. In extreme cases eye muscle surgery may be recommended, however it is important to note that this method does not treat the underlying issues.

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Testimonials

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.

Amanda T.

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.

Alexa H.

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!

Charlotte M.

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!

Olivia C.

Seems much less frustrated with life

Reads non-stop and fast

Spelling abilities have been hugely improved

Seems much more confident

Thank You!!!

Kelly O.

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!!!