August 13, 2024

Can a Brain Injury Affect Vision?

If you?ve been experiencing blurry vision, double vision or other visual symptoms following a car accident, serious fall or blow to the head, it?s almost certainly a result of your traumatic brain injury (TBI). In…
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Opto-Mization Optometry & Vision Therapy

Woman with Brain Injury on the CouchIf you?ve been experiencing blurry vision, double vision or other visual symptoms following a car accident, serious fall or blow to the head, it?s almost certainly a result of your traumatic brain injury (TBI). In fact, up to 90% of people with TBIs have disrupted vision that can last days, weeks, months and even years after their accident.

Schedule an appointment with a neuro-optometrist in in Our practice serves patients from Victoria, Nanaimo, Duncan, and Vancouver Island, British Columbia and surrounding communities. to diagnose and treat the symptoms of post traumatic vision syndrome.

Can a Traumatic Brain Injury Cause Vision Problems?

Concussions and other types of traumatic brain injuries affect 10 million people worldwide every year, with falls, car accidents and sports injuries as its leading causes.

Visual problems caused by traumatic brain injury often go undiagnosed in the rush to treat more urgent injuries, such as a brain bleed or facial lacerations. And in some cases, visual problems may even begin later.

Here’s what we mean by vision problems:

Vision isn?t just about eyesight. For the visual system to work properly, there must be accurate communication between the eyes and the brain. A TBI can damage the neural connections between the eyes and the brain, causing significant visual deficits.

When a fall or other blow to the head causes the soft brain to suddenly impact the hard skull cavity, this violent movement can damage fragile cranial nerves and brain cells, resulting in severe damage. This damage makes it more difficult for neural pathways to transmit clear and accurate messages to the brain and results in a range of debilitating symptoms.

Visual Problems After a Brain Injury

A TBI can cause the following visual symptoms:

  • Blurred vision
  • Double vision
  • Light sensitivity
  • Eye strain

A TBI can also cause problems with visual skills, including:

  • Eye teaming ? eyes not working together efficiently
  • Visual acuity ? difficulty seeing near or far away objects
  • Focusing ? trouble maintaining clear vision or transitioning focus from one object to another
  • Disrupted eye movements ? having a hard time tracking something with your eyes
  • Motion sensitivity ? diminished ability to see things clearly when you?re moving. You may experience dizziness and motion sickness
  • Limited visual field ? peripheral vision loss

Can I Improve My Vision After a TBI?

If you have post-traumatic vision symptoms, make sure you schedule an appointment with a neuro-optometrist, who will give you an assessment to identify problems and prescribe a neuro-optometric treatment program to improve your vision.

A neuro-optometric treatment program may include:

  • Prism lenses
  • Prescription lenses
  • Neuro-optometric therapy ? eye exercises to retrain your eyes, nervous system and brain to communicate effectively
  • Syntonic phototherapy ? balances the autonomic nervous system using light therapy.

Are you experiencing visual problems since your accident? If you want to feel and see better, schedule a functional eye exam at today!

Our practice serves patients from Victoria, Nanaimo, Duncan, and Vancouver Island, British Columbia and surrounding communities.

Frequently Asked Questions with Scott Irvine, O.D.

Q: Can whiplash after a car accident cause vision problems?

  • A: Whiplash occurs when a collision quickly thrusts your neck forward and back. But whiplash doesn?t just affect the neck. It can also impact your brain and cranial nerves. If you have whiplash and are experiencing blurred vision, dizziness or other vision disruptions, schedule an appointment at to see if you can benefit from neuro-optometric therapy.

Q: Can a neuro-optometrist treat vision problems related to vestibular dysfunction?

  • A: Dizziness and motion sickness after head trauma can be the result of vestibular dysfunction, damage to the inner ear and sections of the brain stem. You may experience blurry vision, dizziness, vertigo and lack of coordination. If you have any of these symptoms, contact us at to schedule a neuro-optometric eye exam.

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Our Victoria Practice
Opto-Mization Optometry & Vision Therapy
200-775 Topaz Ave
Victoria, BC V8T 4Z7
Phone
(250) 590-7384
Fax
250-412-6459
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  • Thursday:
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  • Friday:
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  • Saturday:
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  • Sunday:
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Our Nanaimo Practice
Opto-Mization Optometry & Vision Therapy
205-1825 Bowen Rd
Nanaimo, BC V9S 1H1
Phone
(250) 591-0270
Fax
250-412-6459
Email
(Do not send personal health information by email.)
  • Monday:
    10:00 AM - 5:30 PM
  • Tuesday:
    10:00 AM - 5:30 PM
  • Wednesday:
    10:00 AM - 5:30 PM
  • Thursday:
    11:00 AM - 5:30 PM
  • Friday:
    9:00 AM - 4:30 PM
  • Saturday:
    Closed
  • Sunday:
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Rating
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Out of 59 Reviews

You Ask, We'll Answer

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  • What is Neuro-Optometry?

    Neuro-Optometry focuses on the intricate connection between your visual system and the brain, extending beyond traditional eye care to assess functional vision. This branch of optometry examines how your eyes track, move, coordinate, and how your brain processes depth, motion, and balance. Disruptions in these functions can lead to a range of issues including headaches, migraines, dizziness, balance challenges, post-concussion symptoms, reading difficulties, and attention deficits (ADHD). By exploring these functional areas, we also identify opportunities to enhance performance in activities such as sports, reading speed, and cognitive processes.

  • What is Vision Therapy?

    At Opto-Mization, vision therapy is a specialized, personalized program aimed at improving visual skills and abilities. It goes beyond traditional vision therapy to help improve how the eyes and brain work together, addressing visual-motor and perceptual-cognitive challenges to enhance overall visual function. It’s more than just exercises; it’s a pathway to better vision and improved daily life.

  • Do you Provide Regular Eye Exams and General Optometric Services?

    Yes, alongside vision therapy and neuro-optometry, we offer comprehensive eye exams and general optometry services. Our experienced optometrists perform thorough eye exams to evaluate overall eye health, identify any eye conditions or diseases, and prescribe corrective lenses when beneficial.

  • Who is the Ideal Candidate for Vision Therapy and Neuro-Optometry?

    Vision therapy and neuro-optometric rehabilitation can help individuals of all ages. Whether you’re struggling with visual processing issues, binocular vision disorders, amblyopia (lazy eye), strabismus (eye misalignment), or have sustained a brain injury, our services might be beneficial for you. Contact us to discuss if our tailored approach can meet your specific needs and goals.

  • Do I Need a Referral to See an Optometrist at Opto-Mization?

    No, you do not need a referral for an eye exam at Opto-Mization. We welcome anyone who suspects they might benefit from our services, whether you’re experiencing symptoms of visual discomfort or just want to ensure optimal visual performance. Feel free to reach out and schedule your appointment directly with us to take the first step toward understanding and improving your visual function.

  • Do You Direct Bill Insurance?

    Yes, we offer direct billing for a variety of insurance plans to make the process as seamless and hassle-free as possible for our patients. Our knowledgeable staff is well-versed in working with insurance providers, ensuring that you can maximize your benefits while minimizing out-of-pocket expenses for our services, including vision therapy and eye exams.