Excellent overview of vision therapy for concussion

By Camilla Smith-Donald. This article was initially published in our Concussion Update newsletter; please consider subscribing.

Vision therapy may be valuable for those suffering vision problems after a mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI). Optometrist Maureen Oyaide-Ofenor explains the process of vision therapy in an article published in Optometry Times Journal. Vision therapy can address difficulties such as trouble focusing the eyes on near objects, light sensitivity, dry eyes, reduced field of vision, dizziness, blurred vision, and eye misalignment that prevents one clear image from being sent to the brain. Many of these issues can be resolved by regularly engaging in vision therapy for anywhere from 6 months to 2 years, depending on the severity of the dysfunction. A neuro-optometrist can assess a patient’s visual status through tests of their field of vision, eye movement, and convergence ranges (how close to their eyes they can keep an object in focus), among other things. Ideally, the neuro-optometrist should communicate with allied healthcare providers (neurologists, rehab physicians, physical and occupational therapists, etc) to ensure that the patient is getting all of the forms of support they need.

Because mTBI patients may be navigating cognitive dysfunction, including memory and attention issues, activities from each day of therapy and goals for the future are written down for the patient to allow for future reference. During sessions, there is an emphasis on patients maintaining their hydration and using their eye drops. After activities, patients rate symptoms such as headache, nausea, and dizziness to allow the therapist to determine an appropriate level of activity that is not too strenuous. With the right neuro-optometrist and dedication to the therapy, these processes can improve visual function for mTBI sufferers.

See our resource on Vision Therapy for more information, including how to find qualified providers.