Slowly progressive blurred vision is usually caused by long-term medical conditions. Sudden blurring is most often caused by a single event.

Some instances of sudden blurred vision are medical emergencies that must be treated as soon as possible to prevent permanent damage and vision loss.

Contact an eye doctor near you who can evaluate the cause of your blurred vision.

SEE RELATED: What Is an Eye Stroke?

When is blurred vision a medical emergency?

1. Strokes

There are two types of strokes: ischemic and hemorrhagic. When a blood clot blocks an artery transporting blood to the brain, an ischemic stroke occurs. When a blood vessel in the brain ruptures, the result is a hemorrhagic stroke, which is less common.

Strokes can cause a sudden, severe headache and blurred vision in one or both eyes.

Other symptoms often associated with strokes include sudden:

• Confusion
• Difficulty speaking and understanding speech
• Numbness or weakness of the arm, face, or leg, especially on one side of the body
• Trouble walking, dizziness, and loss of balance or coordination

Strokes may have life-threatening and permanently debilitating consequences if they are not treated quickly. If a person suspects they or someone close to them is having a stroke, they should call for an ambulance right away.

2. Traumatic brain injury

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a type of head injury that causes damage to the brain. There are different types of brain injuries, including concussions and skull fractures.

A jolt, hit, blow, bump, or penetrating objects cause most TBIs.

The symptoms of a TBI vary depending on the part of the brain that was injured and the extent of the damage. While some TBI symptoms occur right away, others may take days or weeks to appear.

Symptoms of TBI can range from mild to severe, depending on the extent of the damage. Symptoms may include:

• Blurred vision
• Dizziness
• Coma
• Confusion
• Fatigue
• Lack of coordination
• Loss of consciousness
• Mood changes, such as irritability
• Ringing in the ears

People with a mild TBI should temporarily limit doing certain activities that can stress their brain or increase the risk of reinjury, such as playing sports or computer work. Always follow your physician’s advice.

Severe TBI can be life-threatening without treatment. The treatment for TBI depends on the extent, location, and severity of the injury.

3. Carbon monoxide poisoning

Carbon monoxide is a colorless, tasteless and odorless gas present in the fumes that burning fuel creates.

Carbon monoxide binds to hemoglobin, the red protein in blood that transports oxygen throughout the body, as people breathe it in. Hemoglobin is unable to transport oxygen to organs and tissues when it’s bound to carbon monoxide.

A headache and vision problems, such as blurred vision, are common signs of carbon monoxide poisoning.

Since carbon monoxide deprives the brain and body of oxygen, it causes a number of symptoms.

Additional symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning include:

• Dizziness
• Chest pains
• Confusion
• Fatigue and weakness
• Flu-like symptoms
• Loss of consciousness
• Upset stomach and vomiting

People with mild to moderate carbon monoxide poisoning should get themselves away from the poisonous gas and seek medical treatment immediately.

4. Angle-closure glaucoma

Angle-closure glaucoma is where fluid in the front part of the eye is suddenly blocked from draining out of the eye, causing eye pressure to rise quickly.

Symptoms include headache and severe pain in or above the eyes. Other symptoms include:

• Changes in your vision, including blurred vision
• Nausea
• Redness and pain in the eyes

If you have any of these symptoms seek help right away.

Angle-closure glaucoma is a medical emergency that requires treatment to decrease the pressure and the inflammation inside the eye.

Many things can cause your vision to suddenly become blurred. When treatment is delayed, some can result in vision loss.

Other medical emergencies are also caused by retinal diseases, retinal detachments and corneal burns.

LEARN MORE:  Guide to Eye Conditions

Schedule an appointment with an eye doctor near you about any sudden unexplained changes in your vision.

If you believe you may be experiencing a TBI, carbon monoxide poisoning or are having or stroke, seek medical attention immediately.

The post When is Blurred Vision a Medical Emergency? appeared first on Optometrists.org.

This blog will briefly discuss five possible causes of a headache and blurred vision, as when to treat these as a medical emergency.

Important Note: This blog is not to be considered as medical advice, we recommend seeking appropriate medical attention at all times.

Medical Emergencies

Some of the possible medical conditions that can cause simultaneous headache and blurred vision include:

1. Low blood sugar

Hypoglycemia can cause headaches and blurred vision when the brain is starved of glucose, which is its primary fuel source.

Blood sugar levels naturally rise and fall throughout the day and in between meals.

If someone’s blood sugar levels get too low, typically less than 70 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL), they become hypoglycemic.

Without treatment, hypoglycemia can cause permanent damage .

2. Stroke

Strokes are responsible for 1 out of every 20 deaths.

A stroke can occur when a blood clot blocks a vessel carrying blood to the brain. This is called an ischemic stroke. Less commonly, a stroke may happen when a blood vessel in the brain ruptures, which is called a hemorrhagic stroke.

3. Traumatic brain injury

People with moderate to severe TBI need emergency care and may require surgery to prevent further damage to their brain tissues.

A traumatic brain injury (TBI) is an injury that interferes with normal brain functioning. A jolt, bump, hit, blow, or penetrating object causes most TBIs.

A concussion is one type of TBI that occurs as a result of a blow to the head.

People with mild TBI often experience a headache and blurred vision.

4. Carbon monoxide poisoning

More than 20,000 people in the U.S are admitted to the emergency department for accidental exposure to carbon monoxide every year.

Carbon monoxide is an odorless, colorless, tasteless gas present in the fumes that burning fuel creates.

Carbon monoxide poisoning causes a variety of symptoms as it deprives the body and brain of oxygen. A headache and vision problems, such as blurred vision, are common signs of carbon monoxide poisoning.

Emergency healthcare teams may give people with severe carbon monoxide poisoning 100 percent oxygen through a tube they put directly into the individual’s airway.

When to see a doctor?

If you experience headaches, together with suddenly blurred vision, contact your family physician or seek emergency medical care urgently.

The optimum results are achieved if the underlying medical condition is treated as soon as possible.

The post When is Blurred Vision a Medical Emergency? appeared first on Optometrists.org.

The symptoms that persist following a concussion are collectively called Post Trauma Vision Syndrome (PTVS). In most cases, the eyes are physically healthy but not communicating properly with the brain, this is very common following any type of traumatic brain injury.

The eyes are controlled by the brain, so when someone suffers from an injury to the brain, whether it is a car accident, stroke, or concussion, the visual system can be significantly impacted causing a range of life-changing symptoms.

Neuro-optometric rehabilitation can help relieve the disabling post-concussion symptoms.

Schedule an appointment with a vision therapy eye doctor to start your neuro-optometric vision rehabilitation program.

SEE RELATED: Sleep Apnea, Concussion and Vision

What is neuro-optometric vision rehabilitation?

Neuro-optometric vision rehabilitation focuses on different visual disorders that occur as a result of developmental delays, brain injuries, or concussions.

During primary treatment of a brain injury, visual problems often go unnoticed, as a regular eye exam may not show the extent to which the visual processing and functioning of the eyes has been affected.

A neuro-optometric consultation goes beyond a regular eye exam, as it involves in-depth testing to analyze the communication between the visual system and the brain, and how the injury affects daily tasks, such as balance and movement, reading, and more.

Neuro-optometric rehabilitation therapy is a non-invasive program to rehabilitate vision, the integration of vision with other senses, visual-motor disorders and visual information processing.

Treatment usually involves a customized vision therapy program, optical prisms or therapeutic lenses. Computer-based activities specifically designed to improve the neural functioning following a TBI may also be prescribed.

When vision therapy is used as part of neuro-optometric rehabilitation it helps redevelop brain-eye communication, allowing the patient to learn how to regain control of their visual system and improve their quality of life.

Common post-concussion symptoms

Typical symptoms that are experienced after a concussion may include:

• Headaches/migraines
• Double vision
• Dizziness
• Difficulty reading
• Nausea
• Difficulty focusing
• Difficulty with coordination, balance
• Sensitivity to light
• Poor depth perception

If you experience any of these symptoms post-concussion, contact a vision therapy eye doctor near you.

Vision problems associated with brain injuries can be disabling, as they often affect:

• Eye focusing
• Eye teaming
• Eye movements
• Motion sensitivity

Neuro-optometric rehabilitation treatment

Treatments will vary for each individual as every injury is unique.

Some types of treatment include:

• Patching – Placing a patch on one eye or part of the visual field of one eye. This helps eliminate double vision, a common symptom post-concussion.
• Prism Lenses – As part of a vision therapy program, prisms are often prescribed to help eliminate binocular vision problems such as double vision. In addition, they are used to treat poor balance, which is another common symptom post-concussion.
• Specific Prescription Lenses (Glasses)– These lenses help enhance visual comfort and clarity. They also help compensate for the damage done to the neural system
• Vision Therapy – This is a personalized program that improves the communication between the brain, body, and eyes. A vision therapy program focuses on improving visual skills such as hand-eye coordination, eye tracking, peripheral vision, focusing, and depth perception.

Following a brain injury or a concussion, a customized neuro-optometric rehabilitation program could be what you have been looking for.

LEARN MORE:  Guide to Neuro-Optometry

If you have experienced a concussion, it is recommended to contact a vision therapy eye doctor to learn more about neuro-optometric rehabilitation – it might just change your life.

The post Vision Therapy for Concussions appeared first on Optometrists.org.

Excel Neuro-Optometric Clinic

The term concussion has become increasingly popular in the last several decades.

The research behind the causes and management of a concussion is constantly growing and is now showing the importance of providing optometry and eye care for optimum treatment outcomes.

Following a concussion, a patient may experience:

• Double vision
• Headaches
• Fatigue while reading
• Words moving on the page

Do any of these symptoms sound familiar? 

If you answered ‘yes’, then you are likely not alone. Concussions which are also referred to as mild traumatic brain injuries, have been proven through research and studies to affect the visual system.

It has been shown that up to 90 percent patients will experience visual problems following a concussion. 

Three key parts of the visual system that are commonly affected by a concussion include:

1. Vergence eye movement – eye teaming, or pointing the eyes at the same place, simultaneously
2. Version eye movements – eye tracking, or  eye movements used for reading
3. Accommodative system – focusing system, or the ability to see print clearly for reading, computer work and other near tasks

If you have suffered a brain injury, contact an eye doctor near you, who can diagnose and discuss the best treatment options

SEE RELATED: Stanford University: Concussions and the Eyes

20/20 vision and normal eye health is simply not enough

Given the complexity of the visual system, simply assessing central visual acuity and ocular health is not sufficient.

Many optometrists practice only primary eye care. Your primary care optometrist will complete an eye exam, and normally inform you on your visual acuity (i.e., 20/20 vision), and ocular health. Although this exam may be seen as comprehensive it often does not assess the whole visual system.

After sustaining a concussion, it is important to assess how the visual system is performing, and in particular how the three systems mentioned above— vergence, version, and accommodation— are functioning.

If these systems are not assessed, patients may be told that their vision is fine, that they have ‘20/20 sight’. While this may be true for sight and eye health, it may not address important aspects of the visual system, leaving many patients frustrated and confused.

LEARN MORE:  Guide to Neuro-Optometry

Schedule an appointment with an eye doctor for a comprehensive eye exam, and to discuss any questions you may have about vision therapy.

The post Concussion and Vision appeared first on Optometrists.org.

Excel Neuro-Optometric Clinic

Are you experiencing light sensitivity since your traumatic brain injury?

Following a traumatic brain injury (TBI) there are many visual concerns that may arise, one of which is light sensitivity, or photophobia. 

Photophobia means ‘fear of light’, and can cause a person to experience extreme discomfort or even pain. Indoor and outdoor lighting are not created equally— some patients may suffer from photophobia indoors, outdoors, or both.

Choosing the type of lighting in your home can be a challenge. Additionally, while light sources have become more energy and cost efficient, these changes have not come without consequence to our health.

If you are noticing sensitivity to lights or are experiencing headaches, even while indoors, the light bulbs you choose may be the culprit.

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

SEE RELATED: What Is Post-Traumatic Vision Syndrome? 

Two common lights used in commercial premises, such as supermarkets and department stores, include  fluorescent and light emitting diodes (LED) bulbs. These lights  both create what is called a critical flicker frequency (CFF) that causes the light to “pulsate”. Some people are sensitive to this pulsating light and may experience heachaches or light sensitivity as a result.

Following a TBI, it has been found that patients who are light sensitive or who have motion sickness, also have a lower threshold for CFF.

LED lights, referred to as “Day Light Whites”, have a tendency to function as monochromatic. This means they have a narrow spectrum of light waves and usually fall closer to one wavelength. Therefore, the light they emit appears brighter, and the wavelength falls towards the blue end of the spectrum.

According to research, light rays that have a shorter wavelength, such as blue light, have been shown to cause photophobia. 

The blue light triggers one of the cranial nerves (trigeminal) that contains pain receptors, causing discomfort or photophobia.

An optometrist with post graduate training and experience in helping patients with TBIs to manage their photophobia symptoms, may recommend specific tints, filters, and light sources.

These therapeutic options may help you feel more comfortable, leading to an improved quality of life.

LEARN MORE:  Guide to Neuro-Optometry

Schedule an appointment with an eye doctor for a comprehensive eye exam, and to discuss any questions you may have about vision therapy.

If you are suffering from light sensitivity, find computer or phone use difficult, or are unable to enter stores due to the lighting, consult with a developmental or neuro-optometric optometrist. 

The post Lighting Up the Room: Light Sensitivity Post-TBI  appeared first on Optometrists.org.

Yes, any brain injury can have significant visual consequences.

During the initial treatment of a concussion or other traumatic brain injury (TBI), visual problems are often overlooked. Frequently, visual problems are hidden or neglected— lengthening and impacting rehabilitation.

The reason that many visual problems are overlooked following a TBI, is that often the patient’s visual acuity remains the same. However, the TBI may cause changes to the communication between the brain and the eyes— affecting the visual skills.

Vision is the most important source of sensory information. Consisting of a sophisticated complex of subsystems, the visual process involves the flow and processing of information from the eyes and body to the brain. Because there is a close relationship between vision and the brain, a TBI, including concussions and sports-related head injuries, can disrupt the visual process—interfering with the flow and processing of information, and resulting in a vision problem.

Signs indicating a vision problem:

• Blurry vision
• Double vision
• Aching eyes
• Loss of visual field
• Sensitivity to light
• Comprehension difficulty
• Attention and concentration difficulty
• Memory difficulty
• Reading difficulties- decreased fluency and speed
• Comprehension difficulties
• Headaches with reading and other visual tasks

If you experience any of these signs contact an eye doctor near you, so that they can help diagnose and manage your vision.

SEE RELATED: How Does a Traumatic Brain Injury Cause Vision Problems?

Strong visual skills enable clear vision

Strong visual skills are necessary for efficient information processing. When processing visual information is difficult, one may strain their eyes without even knowing it, because the effort is subconscious. If the visual system is inefficient, every task can seem difficult— expending more energy than required.

Which visual skills are affected by a TBI?

• Eye tracking: The ability of the eye to move smoothly across a printed page or while following a moving object.
• Fixation: The ability to quickly and accurately locate and inspect a series of stationary objects, such as words while reading.
• Focus change (accommodation): The ability to quickly change focus from distant to near images, continually.
• Depth perception: The ability to accurately judge relative distances of objects —how far or near they are.
• Peripheral vision: The ability to monitor and interpret what is happening in the surrounding field of vision.
• Binocularity (eye tracking and teaming): The ability to use both eyes together as a team – smoothly, equally and accurately.
• Maintaining attention: The ability to maintain focus on a particular activity while interference, such as noise or motion, is present.
• Visualization: The ability to accurately picture an image in the “mind’s eye,” eye retaining and storing them for future recall.
• Near vision acuity: The ability to clearly see, inspect, identify, and understand objects viewed within arm’s length.
• Distance acuity: The ability to clearly see, inspect, identify, and understand objects viewed at a distance.
• Vision perception: The ability to understand and quickly process what is seen.

If you have experienced a TBI and suffer from visual problems, contact a developmental optometrist for a complete functional vision examination.

An optometrist’s role in TBI rehabilitation

Unfortunately, many people that work in the health care professions, including head trauma rehabilitation centers, are inadequately aware of the visual problems and visual-perception consequences that can result from a TBI. This lack of awareness creates a gap in rehabilitative services— resulting in incomplete treatment and frustration for the patient, family and treatment team.

A behavioral or developmental optometrist, specifically trained to work with TBI patients, will play an important role in the rehabilitation effort.

Vision therapy, along with the use of specialized lenses, can help improve the eye-brain connection, and the visual processing of information.

After comprehensive eye examination following a TBI, an optometrist will be able to determine how visual information is processed— alerting the patient to their strengths and weaknesses.

Based on the findings of the evaluation, the eye doctor will prescribe a treatment regimen incorporating lenses, prisms, low vision aids and specific activities designed to improve control of a person’s visual system and increase vision efficiency. This in turn can help support many other activities in daily living.

What is behavioral or developmental optometry? 

Behavioral or developmental optometry is based upon the core principle that vision is a learned process and can be developed or enhanced at any age.

Optometrists practicing this method have continued their education beyond the basic Doctor of Optometry (O.D.) degree. This continuing education emphasizes the use of lenses, prisms, and vision therapy to enhance a patient’s visual capabilities, reduce visual stress, and prevent and rehabilitate vision problems.

As a member of the rehabilitative team, behavioral optometrists have extensive experience treating the vision problems stemming from TBI.

LEARN MORE: Guide to Eye Turns

If you or a loved one has experienced a TBI and is suffering from visual problems, contact a developmental optometrist for a complete functional vision examination.

Treatment of visual problems will not only alleviate visual difficulties, but will also facilitate improved daily functioning.

The post Vision Problems from a Brain Injury appeared first on Optometrists.org.

 We often think of a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) affecting adults, however consider these facts:

• TBIs are the leading cause of disability and death in children ages 0–4 years and adolescents ages 15–19 years.
• It is estimated that 145,000 children and adolescents (ages 0–19 years) are living with lasting cognitive, physical, or behavioral effects of TBIs.

General statistics about TBI

• In the United States, approximately half a million children ages 0–14 years are admitted to emergency rooms each year as a result of a TBI each year.
• Approximately 1 in 220 children are seen in emergency rooms as a result of a concussion.

Gender

• Across all age groups, the incidence rates of TBI are higher in boys than in girls.
  • Boys (0–9 years) are 1.4 times more likely than girls to have a TBI.
  • In high school and college athletics the incidence of TBI is on the rise for girls.
  • Girls have higher concussion rates than boys in sports played by both sexes.
• The male-to-female ratio increased to 2.2 for older children and young adults.

Severity

A study examining causes and trends of TBI-related hospitalizations in American adolescents revealed:

• 46% of patients were categorized as mild
• 38% as moderate
• 16% as severe

Can traumatic brain injuries cause eye problems?

Yes. 

As up to 80 percent of the brain is involved in vision, TBIs often impact the eyes in some way, resulting in a range of vision problems.

Symptoms indicating a vision problem from a TBI:

• Blurry vision
• Double vision
• Aching eyes
• Loss of visual field
• Sensitivity to light
• Attention and concentration difficulty
• Memory difficulty
• Reading difficulties- decreased fluency and speed
• Words appear to move or change appearance
• Comprehension difficulties
• Headaches with reading and other visual tasks

If your child has had a head injury, contact an eye doctor near you, who can diagnose and treat any visual problems.

SEE RELATED: What Is Accommodative Esotropia?

Which visual skills are affected by a TBI?

Strong visual skills are necessary for efficient information processing.

When processing visual information is difficult, one may strain their eyes without even knowing it, because the effort is subconscious. If the visual system is inefficient, every task can seem difficult— expending more energy than required.

The following visual skills can be affected by a TBI:

1. Eye Tracking

The ability of the eye to move smoothly across a printed page or while following a moving object.

2. Fixation

The ability to quickly and accurately locate and inspect a series of stationary objects, such as words while reading.

3. Focus change (accommodation)

The ability to quickly change focus from distant to near images, continually.

4. Depth perception

The ability to accurately judge relative distances of objects —how far or near they are.

5. Peripheral vision

The ability to monitor and interpret what is happening in the surrounding field of vision.

6. Binocularity (eye tracking and teaming)

The ability to use both eyes together as a team – smoothly, equally and accurately.

7. Maintaining attention

The ability to maintain focus on a particular activity while interference, such as noise or motion, is present.

8. Visualization

The ability to accurately picture an image in the “mind’s eye,” eye retaining and storing them for future recall.

9. Near vision acuity

The ability to clearly see, inspect, identify, and understand objects viewed within arm’s length.

10. Distance vision acuity 

The ability to clearly see, inspect, identify, and understand objects viewed at a distance.

11. Vision perception

The ability to understand and quickly process what is seen.

An optometrist’s role in the rehabilitation of a brain injury

A behavioral or developmental optometrist, specifically trained to work with TBI patients, will play an important role in the traumatic brain injury rehabilitation effort.

Unfortunately, many people that work in the health care professions, including head trauma rehabilitation centers, are inadequately aware of the visual problems and visual-perception consequences that can result from a TBI.

This lack of awareness creates a gap in rehabilitative services— resulting in incomplete treatment and frustration for the patient, family and treatment team.

What is traumatic brain injury rehabilitation?

Traumatic brain injury rehabilitation, commonly called neuro-optometric rehabilitation, involves the use of specialized eye exercises, lenses, prisms and other techniques to strengthen the neural connections between the eyes and the brain.

Strengthening of the visual system is crucial for TBI patients, as it helps to improve visual processing of information.

This in turn can help support many other activities of daily living— increasing independence and improving quality of life.

What is behavioral or developmental optometry? 

Behavioral or developmental optometry is based upon the core principle that vision is a learned process and can be developed or enhanced at any age.

Optometrists practicing this method have continued their education beyond the basic Doctor of Optometry (O.D.) degree. This continuing education emphasizes the use of lenses, prisms, and vision therapy to enhance a patient’s visual capabilities, reduce visual stress, and prevent and rehabilitate vision problems.

As a member of the rehabilitative team, behavioral optometrists have extensive experience treating the vision problems stemming from TBI.

If your child has experienced a TBI and is suffering from visual problems, contact a developmental optometrist for a complete functional vision examination.

Treatment of visual problems will not only alleviate visual difficulties, but will also facilitate improved daily functioning.

LEARN MORE: Guide to Eye Turns

Schedule an appointment with an eye doctor for a comprehensive eye exam, and to discuss any questions you may have about treating your child’s eye condition.

We often think of a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) affecting adults, however children also suffer from head injuries – resulting in a range of vision problems.

The post How Does a Traumatic Brain Injury Cause Vision Problems? appeared first on Optometrists.org.