This presentation, called Concussion Guidelines Step 2: Evidence of Subtype Classification, is referenced in the Journal of Neurosurgery.

The visual system plays a crucial role in the diagnosis and treatment of concussions. 

According to Dr. Ghajar, the eyes and the visual system play an essential role in understanding the nature, cause and treatment for a concussion.

Examination of the eyes, specifically the oculo-motor functioning, includes the evaluation of binocular vision, eye focusing, eye teaming, and visual perception skills.

Any type of oculo-motor or visual dysfunction can result in difficulty acquiring, understanding, and processing visual stimuli.

A visual system dysfunction can trigger or worsen visual symptoms following a brain injury, and lead to an impaired ability to interpret and  process visual information.

Oculo-motor impairments may be identified and measured by assessing specific visual skills, including:

• Saccades
• Smooth pursuit
• Conjugate gaze
• Convergence
• Accommodation
• Fixation assessments

An ocular-motor deficit can appear similar to a functional cognitive impairment and is frequently diagnosed in conjunction with symptoms of a vestibular dysfunction.

Symptoms of oculo-motor dysfunction

Patients diagnosed with oculo-motor dysfunction typically display difficulty concentrating or focusing during near vision tasks as a result of:

• Impaired near vision
• Blurred or double vision
• Photophobia
• Eye strain or fatigue
• Impaired depth perception
• Difficulty shifting focus between distances
• Headaches or pain/pressure behind the eyes
• Nausea
• Anxiety in crowded or visually complex environments
• Significant worsening of pre-existing visual impairments

This new discovery, that the visual system plays a critical role in the diagnosis and treatment of concussions, will help doctors to understand the extent and severity of a brain injury. 

If you know someone who has recently suffered a concussion, it is essential that they be examined by an eye doctor who has experience in treating oculo-motor and visual dysfunction following a brain injury.

A comprehensive assessment of the visual system is the first step to recovering clear and comfortable vision for all aspects of daily life.

The post Stanford University: Concussions and Oculo-Motor Dysfunction appeared first on Optometrists.org.

Post traumatic vision syndrome (PTVS) is a condition that frequently occurs following a neurological event, such as a concussion or traumatic brain injury (TBI).

This condition is caused by a disconnect between the central and peripheral visual systems and occurs when the connections between the eyes and the brain become damaged.

Post traumatic vision syndrome generally results in reduced visual processing and consequently, a range of visual symptoms.

If you suspect you have an eye condition, contact an eye doctor near you, who can diagnose and treat the condition.

SEE RELATED: Managing Concussion: A Team Approach

Symptoms of PTVS

Visual symptoms may include:

• Double vision (diplopia)
• Blurred vision
• Eyestrain
• Sensitivity to light (photophobia) 
• Impaired depth-perception
• Eye-tracking difficulties

Other symptoms may include:

• Headaches
• Dizziness
• Imbalance
• Disorientation
• Impaired visual memory
• Reduced concentration
• Reading difficulties
• Driving difficulties
• Impaired ability to navigate through crowded spaces

What can you do to relieve your PTVS symptoms?

Vision problems following a concussion can be debilitating and even lead to a secondary injury if left untreated.

Fortunately, a neuro-optometrist can prescribe a rehabilitation program to improve and strengthen your visual system and relieve your PTVS symptoms.

What is neuro-optometric vision rehabilitation?

Neuro-optometric rehabilitation has been shown to be 90 to 100 percent effective for the treatment of PTVS. 

Each rehabilitation program is customized to the needs of the individual patient, and is designed to rebuild the connections between the eyes and the brain.

A rehabilitation program is a personalized program that typically includes a series of evidence-based eye exercises, but may also include the use of specialized optical lenses, prisms, and other visual aids to strengthen the neural connections between the eyes and the brain and improve functional vision.

Which visual skills can be improved with neuro-optometric rehabilitation?

Neuro-optometric rehabilitation can recover the visual skills necessary for daily functioning, including:

• Binocular vision
• Visual processing
• Visual midline shift
• Spatial awareness
• Eye-tracking and focusing
• Convergence
• Ocular motor function

A neuro-optometrist will conduct a comprehensive vision evaluation to determine which visual skills have been affected by the concussion and prescribe an effective treatment plan to strengthen these skills.

LEARN MORE:  Guide to Neuro-Optometry

If you or a loved one is experiencing symptoms of PTVS, schedule an appointment with a neuro-optometrist. 

A program of neuro-optometric rehabilitation can give you the relief you need and the quality of life you deserve. 

The post Are You Suffering From Post-Concussion Symptoms?  appeared first on Optometrists.org.

Headaches and binocular vision dysfunction

Binocular vision dysfunction (BVD) is a condition that occurs when the eyes are misaligned.

Eye misalignment causes brain “confusion”. When the two eyes transmit two distinct images for visual processing, the brain has a difficult time interpreting the two images and processing a single, clear image that you can recognize.

Eye misalignment can lead to BVD and result in eye strain, blurred vision, and frequent, severe headaches.

Common symptoms of BVD include:

• Headaches and migraines
• Blurred vision
• Double vision
• Eye strain
• Photophobia
• Poor depth perception
• Fatigue
• Dizziness
• Nausea
• Anxiety
• Motion sickness
• Difficulty concentrating
• Neck, upper back or shoulder pain

Symptoms of BVD typically surface during near vision tasks, specifically during prolonged reading activities— whether you’re reading your favorite novel, surfing the web on your computer, or scrolling through your smartphone.

Fortunately, you don’t need to suffer with headaches for much longer— BVD can be treated by a neuro-optometrist.

Your eye doctor can prescribe specialized lenses with prisms, called BVD lenses, to help improve eye alignment, and provide you with the much needed relief from your uncomfortable symptoms.

How do BVD lenses help?

Prism lenses for BVD enable your eyes to work together to produce an image that your brain can process more effectively.

These specialized lenses will alleviate eye strain and blurred vision, and thus eliminate the tension that is causing your headaches.

If you suffer from frequent headaches, schedule a functional vision evaluation as soon as possible. 

The earlier a vision problem is detected, the sooner you can achieve clearer, more comfortable vision…without the headaches! 

The post Do You Suffer From Headaches? appeared first on Optometrists.org.

Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) can occur from an accident, trauma, or sudden blow to the head. While it isn’t always possible to avoid an accident, there are some steps you can take to protect yourself from a brain injury.

What causes TBIs?

Many people think that TBIs are caused by major events like car accidents or physical assaults. However, most TBIs actually occur from common occurrences, such as a fall at home or a head-on collision in a sports game.

Other TBI injuries can result from:

• Sports injuries (21%)
• Blunt force trauma (15%)
• Car accidents (14%)
• Violent physical assaults (9%)

Visual disturbances following a TBI

According to the Neuro-Optometric Rehabilitation Association (NORA), 90 percent of TBI patients experience the following visual problems:

• Blurred or double vision
• Photophobia (light sensitivity)
• Eye strain and headaches
• Difficulty reading
• Loss of peripheral vision
• Eye movement complications
• Reduced concentration

If you had had a head injury, contact an eye doctor near you, who can diagnose and treat any undiagnosed vision problem.

SEE RELATED: Can a Stroke Cause Vision Problems? 

4 ways to protect yourself from a brain injury

One of the best ways to protect yourself from a brain injury is to avoid risky behavior altogether. 

However, since this isn’t always possible, if you are going to engage in activities that increase your risk of head injury, be sure to keep these four tips in mind:

1) Wear sports protection

Around 21 percent of TBIs occur from a sports related accident. 

Before heading out to play your favorite sport, be sure to take your protective eyewear and helmet along with you.

Wearing protective gear when playing basketball, baseball, football, hockey, and any other ball or contact sport can help protect you from serious head and eye injuries.

2) Wear sunglasses 

Believe it or not, sunglasses can actually help to prevent many accidents that occur from temporary moments of blindness— such as when you’re driving around the corner and bright sunlight reflects off of your windshield, making it nearly impossible to see clearly.

Sunglasses with polarized lenses block both direct sunlight and reflected light, and add another layer of protection against strong glare.

Sunlight reflects off of smooth surfaces, such as water, snow, pavement, mirrors, and even grass. Therefore, it is important to wear your sunglasses anytime you venture outdoors for a walk, a car ride, and any sports or activities played in the sun— this way you can rest assured that you will be able to see clearly at all times.

Photochromic lenses are another great solution if you wear prescription eyeglasses, as they are clear indoors and darken automatically when exposed to bright light. These lenses will ensure that you never leave your home without protection from the sun’s bright light.

3) Be aware of your surroundings

Being fully aware of your surroundings, whether driving, walking, running, or playing sports can significantly reduce your risk of accident and brain injury.

Since falling is the number one cause of TBI, it is important to scan the floors in your home for any objects that may cause a fall, such as toys or balls, and limit distractions when walking down the stairs or on slippery surfaces.

Also, when walking outdoors, look for loose rocks, raised pavement or ditches in the middle of the sidewalk that could cause a fall— and never text while walking or driving!

4) Wear your seatbelt

The number one way to prevent a TBI from a car accident is by wearing a seatbelt. 

Car accidents are the number one cause of TBI-related deaths in America, especially among adults between the ages of 20 to 24. Seatbelts not only save lives, but also reduce your chances of sustaining life-long brain damage.

Wearing your seatbelt will not only protect you from brain injury, but will also set a good example for your children and help them to get accustomed to this habit for years to come— protecting their lives and their children’s lives as well.

Traumatic brain injuries can cause many different impairments and can significantly affect your quality of life. 

If you have sustained a TBI and are experiencing any visual symptoms, a neuro-optometrist can help. 

LEARN MORE:  Guide to Neuro-Optometry

Schedule a functional vision evaluation to determine if a program of neuro-optometric rehabilitation can help to strengthen your visual skills and reduce any visual symptoms you may be experiencing.

The post How to Protect Yourself from a Brain Injury appeared first on Optometrists.org.