Neuro-Optometric Rehabilitation
Neuro-Optometric Rehabilitation
Vision is a fundamental function of the brain. Our perception of depth, direction, speed, and color contrast depends on how the brain interprets and responds to the intake of information from the eyes. Traumatic brain injuries, such as concussions or strokes, as well as diseases like multiple sclerosis (MS), cerebral palsy, and chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), can lead to significant visual challenges. Additionally, several inherited brain conditions can also hinder the normal development of the visual system.
What is Neuro-Optometric Rehabilitation?
The brain has an impressive ability to adapt, allowing it to rewire and retrain itself after injury. Neuro-optometry—a field closely related to vision therapy—specializes in retraining and reprogramming the brain’s visual processing abilities, essential for accurately interpreting and interacting with the world. Neuro-optometric rehabilitation employs a tailored combination of visual exercises, specialized lenses, and targeted visual stimuli, to help retrain the brain to process visual information correctly.
Dr. Dick O'Connor and Dr. Alyssa Fortuna, neuro and developmental-behavioral optometrists trained in neuro-optometric rehabilitation, can help patients regain the functionality of their vision for daily activities.
Is a Brain Injury or Concussion Impacting Your Vision?
A concussion is a mild traumatic brain injury (TBI) caused by a blow to the head, a sudden jolt, or impact that causes the brain to move rapidly back and forth inside the skull. This movement can cause chemical changes in the brain and damage brain cells. An MRI may not show evidence of brain damage – but your functional vision can still be impacted, and you may experience visual limitations. Concussions are often associated with sports injuries, falls, and accidents. Symptoms of a concussion can include:
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Nausea
- Sensitivity to light and sound
- Difficulty concentrating
- Memory issues
- Mood changes (such as irritability or sadness)
A brain injury or concussion can significantly impact vision because of the close connection between the brain and visual processing. Since more than half of the brain is involved in visual functions, any trauma to the brain can disrupt normal vision.
The effects of brain injuries or concussions on the neuro-visual system may not always be immediately apparent. Many healthcare providers and therapists may not have the specific training needed to identify visual problems caused by brain damage. Even when these issues are recognized, treatment from a neuro-optometrist is essential.
Common Vision Problems After a Brain Injury or Concussion
Here are some of the most frequent visual issues individuals experience after a concussion or brain injury:
- Blurred Vision
- Double Vision
- Light Sensitivity
- Difficulty with Eye Tracking
- Poor Depth Perception
- Spatial Disorientation
- Focusing Problems
- Trouble Differentiating Colors
- Eye-Hand Coordination and Motor Problems
- Visual Field Loss
- Visual Processing Delays
Treatment for Vision Problems Due to Brain Injury or Concussion
For individuals experiencing visual issues due to a concussion or brain injury, neuro-optometric rehabilitation or vision therapy can be highly effective. This comprehensive form of therapy helps retrain the brain and eyes to work together, improving visual skills, restoring function, and enhancing overall quality of life. Treatment is typically customized based on the individual’s specific needs and may involve eye exercises, specialized lenses, prisms, and other tools.
How Vision Development of WNY Can Help
As a premier neuro-optometric rehabilitation practice in Western New York, we specialize in treating post-concussion and traumatic brain injury vision problems with intensive, office-based therapy, restoring visual function and expediting the recovery process. Our Optometrists and vision therapists are highly trained in neuro-optometric rehabilitation and can effectively address and rehabilitate vision-related problems for individuals experiencing visual deficits and dysfunctions due to brain injury, concussion, or disease.
Frequently Asked Questions
Get Started Today – There’s Hope in Sight!
References
Faul M, Xu L, Wald MM, Coronado VG. Traumatic Brain Injury in the United States: Emergency Department Visits, Hospitalizations and Deaths
2002–2006. Atlanta (GA): Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Injury Prevention and Control; 2010.
https://www.cdc.gov/traumaticbraininjury/pdf/blue_book.pdf
Report to Congress on Mild Traumatic Brain Injury in the United States: Steps to Prevent a Serious Public Health Problem. Atlanta (GA): Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Injury Prevention and Control; 2003.
https://www.cdc.gov/traumaticbraininjury/pdf/mtbireport-a.pdf
Ciuffreda KJ, Kapoor N, Rutner D, Suchoff IB, Han ME, Craig S. Occurrence of oculomotor dysfunctions in acquired brain injury: a retrospective analysis. Optometry 2007;78(4):155-61.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17400136
Rowe F.J. Stroke survivors’ views and experiences on impact of visual impairment. Brain and Behavior, 2017; e00778 DOI: /onlinelibrary.wiley.com
/doi/epdf/10.1002/brb3.778
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/brb3.778
Leslie S. Myopia and Accommodative Insufficiency Associated with Moderate Head Trauma, Opt Vis Dev 2009;40(1):25-31.
https://cdn.ymaws.com/www.covd.org/resource/resmgr/ovd40-1/article_myopiaaccominsuff.pdf
Cohen, Alen H. Vision rehabilitation for visual-vestibular dysfunction: The role of the neuro-optometrist, NeuroRehabilitation, vol. 32, no. 3, pp. 483-492, 2013
HAN M.E. (2007) The Role of the Neuro-Rehabilitation Optometrist. In: Elbaum J., Benson D.M. (eds) Acquired Brain Injury. Springer, New York, NY
Serving Neuro-Optometry Patients From:
Elma | Buffalo | SouthTowns | Western New York | and beyond
- ImPACT Concussion Testing: Have you or someone you know recently suffer a concussion? ImPACT testing gauges the severity of your concussion and can help in the rehabilitation process.
- Sensitivity to Light Following a Brain Injury: If you’ve experienced whiplash or a blow to the head, you may have sustained a concussion, a mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI). While you might not experience any symptoms at first, your eyes may become sensitive to light later on. Neuro-optometric rehabilitation can help.
- The Research And Evidence Behind Neuro-Optometric Rehabilitation Therapy: Here’s what experts in the field have to say about neuro-optometric rehabilitation therapy, along with scientific studies that confirm its efficacy.
- Difficulty With Eye Movements Following A Brain Injury: Brain injuries can affect vision in several ways, including causing problems with eye movements. Learn why brain injuries can impact eye movements, and how a neuro-optometrist can help.
- Neuro-Optometry Blog: Keep Up-To-Date with our Neuro Blog!
- Your Eyes Your Sense of Balance: Do you feel off-balance? It could be your eyes. To maintain balance, our eyes and brain need to communicate properly. Learn more about the connection between balance and vision and discover how neuro-optometric rehabilitation can help.
- Traumatic Brain Injury: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) can result in headaches, confusion, dizziness, convulsions, poor concentration, and vision problems. These aberrations may affect professional, educational and other aspects of daily living. Fortunately, neuro-optometric rehabilitation can help.
- Vestibular Disorders: If you or a loved one suffers from dizziness, you may have a vestibular disorder. Read on to learn about this condition and discover how a neuro-optometrist can help.