Concussion and Neuro Rehabilitation

Treat Vision Problems Resulting from Concussion at Midtown Optometry


Post-concussion Symptoms

Did You Know Concussions Can Cause Vision Problems?

Concussions, commonly associated with sports injuries and other accidents, are traumatic brain injuries that can cause cognitive impairment and physical discomfort. Concussions also have the potential to cause various vision problems, including difficulty with concentration, eyestrain, headaches, and fatigue. These are a few of the types of vision problems that we specialize in treating to help children get back on track with their academics after a concussion.


Hidden Concussions

A recent study found that 85% of concussions go undiagnosed in children and adults. Another study found that approximately 70% of concussion patients have eye movement and eye coordination problems that interfere with the patient's recovery.


Problems with these binocular visual skills (using both eyes together) can cause struggles with reading and learning, as well as balance and movement. The actual symptoms can vary, but the most common one is double vision. When a vision problem is causing or contributing to trouble with reading, balance or movement, the recovery process will move very slowly until the vision problem is treated.


Additionally, this research goes on to point out that the effects of multiple mild blows to the head can be comparable to that of a concussion. For example, some athletes may receive a mild blow to the head, (while playing a sport such as soccer) and brush it off. Then, after 2 or 3 similar blows, they start struggling with various activities of daily living, balance or movement.


Head Injuries Can Cause Vision Problems

When a child or adult has a sports-related head injury, they may not think to say anything about it if it was a minor accident, but repeated mild injuries can turn into a major problem


Sports of different kinds can result in accidents that involve a blow to the head. Common ones are football, hockey, gymnastics, soccer, lacrosse, and skiing, to name a few. But any activity, like a fall, can incur a mild to severe head injury. So when a child takes a spill on a bicycle and hits his head on the pavement, a concussion can result the same as with the receiver on the football field being thrown on his head by a tackle. Even when wearing a helmet, one can still receive an injury because of the impact.


Post Concussion Problems Can Block Learning

Concussions can result in eye coordination, focusing and eye movement disorders that respond well to vision therapy.


When someone is experiencing any concussion symptoms, they could also have difficulty with reading and learning. This can be a lifelong problem if you don’t take action now. Sometimes, special lenses can help. Other times optometric vision therapy is needed. Vision therapy is very effective at eliminating blurry and/or double vision, focusing problems, poor concentration, and reduced comprehension, when they are due to a vision problem.


This is an example of what it can look like for someone who experiences double vision:

If you suspect you or your child may have had a head injury, or has been struggling with any of the above symptoms when there was no problem before, be sure to schedule appointment with Dr. Lee right away.


​​​​​​​Signs of Post Trauma Vision Syndrome

It is vital that parents and educators know the signs and symptoms of vision problems that block learning as a result of a concussion. Just one of these symptoms could mean that your child is struggling with post trauma vision syndrome.

  • Double vision
  • Headaches
  • Blurred vision
  • Dizziness or nausea
  • Light sensitivity
  • Attention or concentration difficulties
  • Staring behavior (low blink rate)
  • Spatial disorientation
  • Losing place when reading
  • Can’t find beginning of next line when reading
  • Comprehension problems when reading
  • Visual memory problems
  • Pulls away from objects when they are brought close to them
  • Exotropia or high exophoria
  • Difficulty shifting focus from near to far
  • Words move or blur when reading
  • Objects appear to move
  • Unstable peripheral vision
  • Difficulties with balance, coordination and posture
  • Perceived movement of stationary objects
  • Consistently stays to one side of hallway or room
  • Bumps into objects when walking
  • Poor walking or posture: leans back on heels, forward, or to one side when walking, standing or seated in a chair
  • Perception of the floor being tilted

Contact Midtown Optometry Today


​​​​​​​If you’re premier optometry services in San Joaquin County, CA, you’ve come to the right place. Midtown Optometry has served the eye care needs of the local area for more than a decade. We provide compassionate and personalized eye care in a comfortable, welcoming environment. Whether you need vision therapy or contact lenses, we can help.

Contact us today to schedule an appointment.

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