August 13, 2024

Vision Testing for Post Concussion

Still struggling with post concussion symptoms? Are you sensitive to screens? Do you get headaches throughout the day? Are you having trouble concentrating on reading or work emails? Do you still have a sense of…
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Opto-Mization Optometry & Vision Therapy

Still struggling with post concussion symptoms? Are you sensitive to screens? Do you get headaches throughout the day? Are you having trouble concentrating on reading or work emails? Do you still have a sense of fogginess? Does your dizziness or nausea still come on worse than before?

Sometimes you may have noticed that something feels ?off? about you vision. Although many people don?t always equate these symptoms with their vision. Either way, experts will recommend that you have your eyes tested, just to make sure. But have they really tested for what is causing your problems?

Post Concussion Syndrome type symptoms are not caused by the typical things tested for in an eye test (clarity and eye health). Rather, they are caused by injury to the brain that results in problems with how the eyes move, work together, and how the brain integrates that information. Too often the eye testing done by your optometrist or ophthalmologist will stop at the clarity and eye health and give you a clean bill of visual health.

What needs to tested for?

How your eyes work together: Testing should include a full workup on how well your eyes actually work together. This is looking for problems like binocular dysfunction, convergence insufficiency, or others.

How accurately your eyes track: This can be done via computer assisted software, or with standardized tracking plates. A simple ?follow my pen? test is not sensitive enough to pick up tracking problems.

How your vision relates to balance: Testing can be done to see if your vision is helping or hindering your balance. This often utilizes different prescriptions and balancing procedures. The idea is to ensure that your brain is processing depth and space accurately, and to see if lenses can be used to assist this. When your vision is not integrating well, it is called a visual-vestibular mismatch. These problems are also commonly misdiagnosed as vestibular migraines. Watch below to see the difference. He had been through more than two years of various other therapies to try to help.

Conclusion:
When testing vision after concussion it?s not enough to rely on routine testing done in optometry or ophthalmology. You need to seek out an optometrist who practices in the area of neuro-optometry and vision therapy. Optometrists can be found through covd.org and visiontherapycanada.com

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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
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Out of 59 Reviews

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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.