Post Traumatic Vision Syndrome

Published on

February 24, 2022

A common diagnosis for someone who suffers a traumatic brain injury is post traumatic vision syndrome, commonly abbreviated as PTVS.

What symptoms might I experience from post traumatic vision syndrome?

Post traumatic vision syndrome is most commonly characterized by the following symptoms:

Ocular motor dysfunction: Ocular motor dysfunction includes difficulties with fixation, which is the ability for the eyes to remain steady on a single point. Saccadic eye movements, which is the eye's ability to move from one visual target to another. And pursuits, which is the ability of the eyes to track a moving object. This condition disrupts everyday activities such as reading, so receiving a comprehensive eye exam is essential to check for it.
Accommodative dysfunction: An inability to move from near to far or far to near without losing focus.
Binocular vision dysfunction: Inability to move the eyes together as a team. When the eyes lack alignment vision may be impaired or maintaining proper alignment may be achieved with considerable effort.
Headaches: PTVS causes headaches that may be triggered by screens, reading, and just about any environment with excessive visual stimulation.
Double vision: When your eyes do not work together, you can see what each eye sees separately (instead of the brain properly combining the two images), resulting in blurry or double vision.
Eye strain: When the vision system is not functioning properly, it requires more effort to see, which causes eye strain and fatigue. There may also be pain in the eyes.
Lots of sensitivity to glare and flicker: Damage to the visual system may reduce the brain's ability to process incoming sensory information, leading to greater sensitivity to light.
Excessive brain fog: Lack of focus, memory loss and confusion are signs of excessive brain fog that results from delayed visual memory/processing.

How is post traumatic vision syndrome treated?

A neuro-optometric rehabilitation program can help treat post traumatic vision syndrome. Other treatment options may include specialized prescription lenses such as prism lenses, neuro-rehabilitation therapy or vision therapy, and syntonic light therapy.

How long does treatment take?

Treatment can last anywhere from a few weeks to more than a year, depending on the patient's needs. Also, the degree of success in correcting the problem will depend on the severity of the injuries. Since every patient's visual symptoms and dysfunctions are different, the treatment plan is tailored to each patient's symptoms, diagnosis, and progress. While treatment may last a while, patients should see improvements within a few weeks of treatment.

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!!!