August 13, 2024

Retraining The Concussed Brain Using Neuro-Optometry

Are your post-concussion symptoms still bothering you weeks, months or even years after your concussion? If that's the case, you're not alone. Following a brain injury, up to 90% of patients develop vision problems. If…
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Opto-Mization Optometry & Vision Therapy

sad woman sitting on a window seatAre your post-concussion symptoms still bothering you weeks, months or even years after your concussion? If that’s the case, you’re not alone. Following a brain injury, up to 90% of patients develop vision problems.

If you or a loved one has experienced a brain injury and is struggling with visual problems, contact Opto-mization NeuroVisual Performance in Victoria today. We can help.

What is a Concussion?

A concussion is a type of traumatic brain injury (TBI) caused by a blow, bump or jolt to the head that causes the head and brain to move back and forth rapidly. This movement causes brain tissue to shift shape, stretching and damaging brain cells.

This results in chemical and metabolic alterations within the brain that make it more difficult for cells to operate and communicate. Since the brain is the body’s control center, concussions can have far-reaching consequences.

Common symptoms of a concussion include:

  • Nausea
  • Headache
  • Dizziness
  • Loss of focus
  • Lightheadedness
  • Sensitivity to light
  • Attention difficulties

How Does a Concussion Impact Vision?

Post Trauma Vision Syndrome (PTVS) can persist long after a concussion.

Most of the time, the concussion and PTVS will not alter the eyes’ health but will impact the communication between the brain and the eyes. Since our eyes are controlled by the brain, when someone suffers from a brain injury, their visual system’s functioning can be severely affected.

The visual symptoms of PTVS include:

  • Blurred vision
  • Double vision
  • Low blink rate
  • Depth-perception issues
  • Difficulty with eye tracking
  • Sensitivity to light (photophobia)
  • Eyestrain, especially while reading or using a computer

Fortunately, neuro-optometric vision rehabilitation, a series of customized exercises specifically designed to retrain the neurological processes of the brain, can help eliminate or at least reduce visual PTVS  symptoms and allow you to resume your daily activities and improve your quality of life

What is Neuroplasticity?

Neuroplasticity is the brain?s ability to change and adapt in response to new experiences

It enables us to establish new neural pathways every time we learn something new. The brain transmits electrical impulses down neural pathways whenever we think, feel, or perform an action. Therefore, when we learn new skills or perform an action in a new way, the brain creates a new pathway to transfer these impulses.

We can then strengthen these new neural pathways and enhance the brain’s functioning the more we practice these new actions.

New behaviors not only increase those neural connections; they also weaken the old ones, allowing us to more permanently adjust to these changes.

How Does Neuroplasticity Relate to Vision?

The discovery of neuroplasticity in the brain has been significant, particularly in the fields of developmental optometry and neuro-optometry.

Thanks to neuro-optometric rehabilitation therapy, the brain can rewire and retrain itself, enabling the visual system to work better and reducing the visual symptoms of PTVS.

Have you or a loved one sustained a concussion or other brain injury? Your neuro-optometrist will design a customized neuro-optometric rehabilitation program suited to your individual needs so you can enjoy a higher quality of life. Contact Opto-mization NeuroVisual Performance to learn more and to book your appointment

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 neuro-optometric rehabilitation treat other vision problems?

  • A: A wide range of vision issues induced by a TBI or neurological condition can benefit from neuro-optometric therapy, including:
  • – Visual field loss
    – Loss of central vision
    – Strabismus (eye turn)
    – Convergence insufficiency
    – Inability to properly focus and fixate on things
    – Difficulty tracking and scanning

Q: What is neuro-optometric rehabilitation?

  • A: Neuro-optometric rehabilitation is a custom-made therapy program that aims to help patients regain and improve their vision and visual skills following any type of neurological injury.

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Our Victoria Practice
Opto-Mization Optometry & Vision Therapy
200-775 Topaz Ave
Victoria, BC V8T 4Z7
Phone
(250) 590-7384
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250-412-6459
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  • Thursday:
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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
5.0
Out of 60 Reviews

You Ask, We'll Answer

Educating you so you can make informed decisions

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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.