Are you experiencing blurred vision or sensitivity to light following a recent head injury, car accident or contact sport collision? You may be inclined to brush it off as fatigue or simply a minor symptom of your recent event. While you may be monitoring yourself or a loved one for more obvious signs and symptoms of concussion, changes in vision are sending you red flags that should not be ignored.
We often hear of the severe concussion and TBI occurrences, causing immediate symptoms including blackouts, vomiting and persistent migraines. But while some incidents may seem only mild in impact, the likelihood of a concussion is quite possible. From direct blows to the head or tackles on the field to seemingly harmless fender benders, there are a variety of incidents that can jostle the brain, causing a concussion and invisible concussion symptoms.
Can a Concussion Affect Vision?
A concussion of any magnitude can affect one’s vision in numerous ways, including causing damage to the eyes themselves. Symptoms can be temporary or long-lasting, taking weeks to present themselves. If you’re experiencing vision-related symptoms, it’s important to understand they can worsen and it’s time to act.
In fact, a 2022 clinical statement published by the American Academy of Ophthalmology reported that visual complaints such as blurred vision, light sensitivity and double vision have been reported to occur in up to 40% of children and adolescents immediately after concussion.
“Double vision is really common in the concussion and TBI patients that come to us trying to find help,” says Joe Downes, ocular therapist at Mid-Atlantic Concussion Alliance. “It is so hard to live with double vision and being able to treat that symptom is a big step towards feeling like yourself again after a brain injury like a concussion.”
Symptoms of Post-Concussion Vision Issues
While it’s not uncommon for people to experience vision problems following a concussion, the warning signs are too often ignored. In fact, research shows roughly 20% of concussed patients experience persistent visual difficulties but go untreated. Unfortunately, ocular symptoms are rarely listed as a common concussion-related symptom, resulting in this lack of proper care.
“Since most of our patients arrive after having symptoms for well over a month, the percentage of our patients displaying vision issues is probably over 90 percent,” says Vincent Schaller, MD, DABFM, CIC, medical director and founder of Mid-Atlantic Concussion (MAC) Alliance.
If you begin to notice signs of a concussion, you can be proactive by continuing to monitor for various visual symptoms, also known as post-trauma vision syndrome. This will help ensure that proper treatment is sought. Symptoms and signs of post-concussion vision issues may include:
- blurry vision
- double vision
- balance issues
- lack of concentration
- difficulty reading
- photophobia (sensitivity to light)
- trouble with peripheral vision
- difficulty with visual perception
- improper eye tracking
If you are experiencing any of these visual symptoms, immediate medical advice is advised. Your medical provider can provide proper screening and treatment, along with essential recovery instructions which include restricting screen time to ensure post-concussion brain rest.
A Deeper Understanding of Concussions and Visual Processing
How can even the mildest concussion cause difficulty in your vision? If regions of the brain are bumped, bruised or otherwise damaged by the acceleration/deceleration forces on the head, there can be injury to the nerves or blood vessels that supply them with oxygen and nutrients, says Dr. Schaller. This causes your brain to have difficulty processing visual information or properly controlling the six extra ocular muscles that control each eye.
Sometimes the forces that cause the brain injury may cause a retinal bleed or tear. Or under extreme forces, a tear the optic nerve might occur, says Dr. Schaller. The ability for the brain to coordinate the ocular muscles on each eye is commonly affected by moderate to severe concussions causing difficulty with eye tracking deficits, as with problems following moving targets (PURSUITS), reading on screens or in print (SACCADES) or even effecting fine motor skills (FIXATIONS).
How Long Do Visual Symptoms Last?
The average person may experience visual difficulties during the first 1–2 weeks post- concussion. Even though sometimes these visual symptoms may resolve on their own, it is imperative to speak to your primary health care provider or a concussion specialist for proper screening and evaluation. A referral for additional screenings and treatment may be made to an ophthalmologist, optometrist or neuro-optometrist who can further evaluate for visual deficits. From there, a referral for proper ocular therapy may be made to a vision therapist or occupational therapist.
Unfortunately, vision issues can worsen over time. This may be brought on by additional stress, illness or lack of seeking proper medical care. Your normal daily routines may become increasingly difficult, while changes in your regular habits may eventually lead to post-concussion mental health issues.
Seeking Help for Post-Concussion Visual Symptoms
Optometrists and ophthalmologists are qualified medical doctors who can screen, examine and treat various vision difficulties. However, they specialize in normal eye health. If you’re experiencing visual problems following a concussion, the symptoms often stem beyond the physical integrity of your eyes. Concussion specialists, including eye care specialists, can provide the proper testing and treatments needed. These medical specialists, including neuro-optometrist, visual therapists and occupational therapists, can provide ongoing treatments such as vision therapy and special glasses for concussions.
Understanding Treatment Options for Post-Concussion Ocular Issues
Your ocular motor instability and visual impairment and are key indicators of a concussion injury. Seeking evaluation and treatment from an eye care professional is imperative. At MAC Alliance, we provide state-of-the-art technology that can test and diagnose a range of visual impairments from brain injuries. We screen every concussion patient diagnosed in our network for visual issues. Each patient is given a prescription for a complete eye exam to ensure ocular health, including no retinal injury or change in their prescription due to brain injury. Through the of use of RightEye technology, we can monitor and track improvements from your ocular post-concussion symptoms.
Ocular Therapy at MAC Alliance
Our network of certified medical professionals and the Mid-Atlantic Concussion Alliance team are committed to providing patients with thorough screening, treatment and long-term concussion and TBI care. The expanding ocular therapy program at MAC Alliance provides specialized therapy for concussion and TBI patients who experience vision problems. These can include: double vision, blurred vision, difficulty reading, photophobia, trouble with peripheral vision and eye tracking. We have two ocular therapists on staff, as part of our complete, individualized concussion-care program. Contact us today for more information, via email or by calling 302-235-8808.
