Concussions are much more complex than many people realize. This type of injury is typically associated with an athlete taking a hit during a game. But the reality is that concussions happen far more often in everyday life, from car accidents to falls and even minor bumps to the head. A concussion is a form of Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) that affects how the brain functions. What many people don’t realize is that concussions frequently impact vision as well. In fact, because the brain controls vision, visual symptoms are among the most common problems after a head injury.
Here are several little-known facts about concussions that may surprise you – and why addressing vision problems is often an essential part of recovery.
Most Concussions Affect Vision
It may be surprising to learn that over half of the brain’s pathways are involved in vision and visual processing. Because of this, concussions frequently affect the communication between the eyes and the brain. After a concussion, people may experience symptoms such as:
- Blurred or double vision
- Difficulty focusing
- Eye strain
- Headaches during reading or screen use
- Light sensitivity
- Trouble tracking moving objects
- Poor depth perception
Many people assume these symptoms will simply go away with time. While some can improve on their own, others will require specialized care. This is where post-concussive vision therapy can play a key role in restoring normal visual function.
You Don’t Have to Lose Consciousness to Have a Concussion
A common myth is that a concussion only occurs if someone blacks out. But in reality, most people who experience a concussion never lose consciousness. Even a seemingly minor event such as slipping on ice, hitting your head on a cabinet door, or being involved in a minor car accident can cause the brain to shift inside the skull. If visual symptoms appear after any head injury, it’s important to have your vision evaluated by a professional trained in post-concussion care, like our team at Family Vision Development Center.
Vision Problems Can Appear Days or Weeks Later
Another little-known fact is that concussion symptoms are not always immediate. Some people feel relatively normal at first but begin experiencing issues later. Visual symptoms that may appear days or weeks after a concussion include:
- Difficulty reading
- Words moving on the page
- Trouble concentrating on screens
- Motion sensitivity
- Dizziness in busy environments like grocery stores
Because these symptoms develop gradually, many people don’t connect them to the original injury.
Children Often Struggle in School After a Concussion
A student that is recovering from a concussion may find that visual tasks become much more difficult when they return to school. Reading, writing, computer work, and focusing on classroom materials all require strong visual skills. When these skills are affected, students may experience:
- Reduced reading comprehension
- Difficulty concentrating
- Headaches during homework
- Fatigue with schoolwork
These symptoms can sometimes be mistaken for learning or attention problems, when the underlying issue is actually due to the effects of the concussion.
Vision Therapy Can Help Retrain the Connection Between the Eyes and Brain
Many concussion-related vision problems can improve with structured vision rehabilitation. This neuro-optometric rehabilitation uses targeted exercises and activities that can actually retrain the connection between the eyes and the brain. These programs are customized to restore affected visual skills such as eye tracking, eye teaming, ability to focus, visual processing and depth perception.
Family Vision Development Center Understands Concussions and Provides Extensive Vision Rehabilitative Care
Concussions are serious injuries that require appropriate care. When vision is impaired following a head injury, our team has the training and experience to properly diagnose and treat the problem in order to restore proper visual function. We have specialized vision therapy programs that focus on neuro-optometric visual rehabilitation, so our patients can quickly recover important visual skills and return to daily activities with greater comfort and confidence. Reach out to our Aurora location at 630-862-2020 to schedule your appointment.
Family Vision Development Center is a full-service vision center offering innovative vision therapy services, sports vision therapy services, post-concussive vision rehabilitation, comprehensive vision exams for eyeglasses and contact lenses, management of ocular diseases including glaucoma, diabetes, macular degeneration and cataracts, and a state-of-the-art optical center offering the latest designs in eyewear.