What is post-traumatic vision syndrome? It is a traumatic brain injury complication affecting 80 percent of your body’s sensory processing. The eye and brain communicate with each other to regulate perception, balance, and coordination. A powerful impact can disrupt these communications, leading to vision problems. When a concussion occurs, the brain and eyes can no longer communicate normally—this disrupted communication results in post-traumatic vision syndrome.
Symptoms
If you’ve suffered a concussion or other head trauma, you may have experienced Post Concussion Vision Syndrome symptoms. Damage to the eye’s blood vessels or the central optic nerve can lead to partial or total loss of sight. Less commonly, brain damage is responsible for vision problems. For example, head trauma can cause muscle contractions around the eye, causing a stabbing pain or dull ache. As a result, the person may have trouble seeing, as well as difficulty reading and eye-teaming.
People with post-traumatic vision syndrome often have difficulty performing normal tasks in environments that require visual stimulation. For example, they may have trouble finding specific objects on a shelf or have symptoms of vertigo when moving in crowded spaces. These symptoms can be debilitating to patients and interfere with higher levels of cognitive function. Fortunately, Neuro-optometric rehabilitation is available to help patients improve their vision. It can also benefit cognitive therapy.
The swelling in the brain interferes with the functioning of the ocular motor nerves in the brain, preventing the eyes from moving in the same direction. As a result, patients often tilt their heads to avoid double vision. This head tilting causes distorted information to the vestibular system, causing dizziness, headaches, and poor balance. In addition, as the eyes continue to suffer from the effects of post-traumatic vision syndrome, patients may experience difficulty with reading, computer work, and driving. People may also experience difficulty seeing the shooting.
Treatment options
You are not alone if you or a loved one has suffered from traumatic brain injury. There are tens of millions of cases yearly, and although most are minor concussions, 9 out of 10 result in some degree of visual dysfunction. Nearly half of the brain is responsible for vision-related processing. Post-traumatic vision syndrome (PTVS) is the collective term for visual disturbances caused by a TBI. These visual disturbances include difficulties with fixation and focusing, binocular fusion, and accommodative function.
Post-traumatic vision syndrome is a disorder in which the brain has trouble communicating with the eyes. Any type of traumatic brain injury causes it, and the symptoms of post-concussion vision syndrome are varied. Treatment options for post-traumatic vision syndrome can include rehabilitative neuro-optometric therapy, which is highly effective in restoring vision. But it is important to note that some doctors fail to recognize the symptoms of PTVS, making the condition more difficult to treat.
The most common symptoms of post-traumatic vision syndrome are difficulty tracking moving objects, trouble focusing, and general fogginess. In addition, the person cannot focus on conversation and may have a heightened sensitivity to light and sound. Although the symptoms of post-traumatic vision syndrome are often not life-threatening, they can be frustrating. Various Vision Therapy for Concussions is available, including neuro-optometric rehabilitation, vision therapy, and specialized prescription lenses.
Causes
Symptoms of post-traumatic vision syndrome (PTVS) are similar to those associated with minor traumatic brain injury. The condition is characterized by binocular dysfunction, difficulty sustaining attention, and headache. If left untreated, PTVS can interfere with rehabilitation and prevent patients from achieving the normal vision. Causes of PTVS are multifactorial but are often related to physical trauma. In some cases, these symptoms can be associated with underlying neurological disorders.
A traumatic event can damage various brain regions, including the visual cortex. This damage disrupts the normal functioning of the vision system, including the link between the eye and the brain. Unfortunately, this disorder typically goes undetected during initial treatment, and symptoms may include impaired reading, binocular dysfunction, and egocentric visual midline shift. Sometimes, a patient may suffer from oculomotor dysfunction, binocular dysfunction, or a distorted or missing visual field.
Some patients with PTVS will experience a wide range of vision problems, including difficulty finding specific objects on shelves. Other symptoms may include a slowing of reaction times and vertigo. Neuro-optometric rehabilitation is an effective treatment for PTS. Vision problems can become more severe over time, but neuro-optic rehabilitation is an effective treatment method. For this reason, patients with PTVS may benefit from a neuro-optometric evaluation and treatment.
