How Traumatic Brain Injuries Can Affect Your Vision

Traumatic brain injuries (which, despite the name, need not be incurred in incidents many of us would consider “traumatic”) are not altogether uncommon, and studies show that in as many as 90 percent of cases there is a vision issue following the injury.

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

What Causes Vision Problems Following a Traumatic Brain Injury?

Eye Damage

When one sustains a head injury, the eye itself can be injured, and if there had previously been eye conditions present such as cataracts, these may be made worse by a head injury. If the muscles which control the eye’s lens are damaged and not functioning properly, it can be difficult to change focus between near and far objects. If the muscles which control eye movement or the nerves which control the muscles are negatively impacted, or if there is a hairline fracture in the eye socket, it can be difficult to control eye movement.

Brain Damage

Traumatic brain injuries can also, of course, lead to damage in the brain itself, impacting the “wiring” of the brain. This can negatively affect many brain functions, including vision.

Damage to the Brain-Eye Connection

Both the eyes and the brain are part of the vision system, and even if each is working properly on its own, if the connection between them is not functioning correctly, vision problems will result. Additionally, damage to this connection can lead to decreased visual memory (the ability to remember seen items like passwords) and decreased visual field (diminished ability to see to the sides, or above and below.

Medications

Some medications a patient may receive post injury may affect vision. This can include making focusing more difficult, or dryness.

What Vision Symptoms Can Occur Following a Traumatic Brain Injury?

There are numerous potential signs of a vision problem following a traumatic brain injury. These include:

Eye aching or pain
Headaches or motion sickness
Lack of balance
Difficulty moving the eyes, especially together
Decreased depth perception
Excessive tearing
Decreased visual memory
Difficulty focusing on tasks requiring vision

What Vision Symptoms Can Occur Following a Traumatic Brain Injury?

How Should Vision Problems From Traumatic Brain Injuries be Treated?

If you experience vision issues following a traumatic brain injury, consult with eye care professionals who specialize in treating vision issues resulting from brain injuries, such as neuro-optometrists.

Following an evaluation to get a proper sense of your condition, the neuro-optometrist will devise a personalized treatment plan for your unique situation. This can include vision therapy exercises and the use of vision aids or surgery.

The amount of time required for treatment and recovery will vary on a case by case basis.

Summary

Traumatic brain injuries have a high chance of causing some sort of vision issue. The precise causes and symptoms can vary, but it is important to seek proper diagnoses and treatment as soon as possible, to prevent minor problems from becoming major ones. If you are experiencing vision issues following a traumatic brain injury, contact us to Book an Appointment for an evaluation.

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Visual field loss and its management

Visual fields provide the most important information that we have to help us with functional vision (daily living skills).

Vision deficits after TBI

In US, an estimated 1.7 million people sustain a traumatic brain injury each year, of which 52,000 die, 275,000 are hospitalized, and 1.365 million are treated.

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Testimonials

I haven't actually used the optometrist side, so my review is limited to the vision therapy offered. This office was recommended by my occupational therapist for the treatment of my double vision following a stroke.

Claire A.

Love this location. I had a brain injury accident from day one one. All the team make you feel you still important and hope in the horizon after when the medical system fell you miserably. Dr. Ikeda very professional and very understanding about your issue. Two tombs up.

Jim K.

My husband and I were immediately impressed with Dr Ikeda. I was hit by a car while cycling which caused broken bones and three brain injuries. The brain injuries caused double vision. Dr. Ikeda examined my eyes and got me started on vision therapy with his occupational therapist who specializes in vision therapy. She (Chris) is absolutely great. I am impressed with the array of tools used to help recover my binocular vision. I am doing things I never thought were possible (balance boards etc). Chris pushes me and keeps me motivated. I really enjoy my sessions with her. The office staff is always friendly and they have a wonderful appointment reminder tool that makes it easy to keep my calendar up to date. I am happy the rehab center at Little Co. of Mary recommended them!!

Teresa S.

The Vision Therapy is handled in a separate office through a different door from the shared waiting room. Chris, the vision therapist, has a wide and varied assortment of tools, equipment and resources to best evaluate and treat most vision issues. After just a few visits, my double vision became easier to control, using exercises developed during the therapy process. It was time well-spent.

Joe M.

I have been coming here since I can remember. I love it here. The staff is so amazing and nice. They explain everything they gonna do and never make you feel rushed. Dr. Ikeda has always been my doctor and I would never want another one. He is the doctor for my whole family and is always asking how everyone is doing. I am also so crazy about picking out my frames and have to try so many and each person who helps me take the time and lets me try them all on. I would never want to go anywhere else! I definitely would recommend this office to anyone looking for a great eye doctor.

Kayla W.

This is not for the eye exam but for the frames selection portion. I brought my prescription from Kaiser here with my VSP insurance. The reception staff was very polite and professional. Manny helped me to pick out frames and explain my coverage. Very helpful and patient not like the individual at the other place I rated here on Yelp. I was running late and he still helped me and was not bothered at all. I am so glad I came here ..........very pleased.

Very professional staff and pleasant.