August 13, 2024

What?s The Difference Between Traumatic And Non-Traumatic Brain Injuries?

There are 2 main types of brain injuries: traumatic and non-traumatic. Both types of brain injuries are potentially serious, and should be treated immediately to reduce the risk of permanent harm to the brain, including…
Posted by
Opto-Mization Optometry & Vision Therapy

Young man with hooded sweatshirt suffering from brain injuryThere are 2 main types of brain injuries: traumatic and non-traumatic. Both types of brain injuries are potentially serious, and should be treated immediately to reduce the risk of permanent harm to the brain, including the fragile visual system.

At Opto-mization NeuroVisual Performance in Victoria , we treat visual problems caused by traumatic and non-traumatic brain injuries using neuro-optometric rehabilitation therapy.

What is a Traumatic Brain Injury?

Traumatic brain injuries, or TBIs, result from an external force impacting the head.

The most common causes of TBIs include:

  • Falls
  • Physical assaults
  • Motor vehicle accidents
  • Sports injuries

TBIs can either be closed (where the skull is not penetrated) or open (where the skull is cracked). Concussions are one type of TBI.

What is a Non-Traumatic Brain Injury?

In contrast to TBIs, non-traumatic brain injuries aren’t caused by a physical blow to the head but rather by factors inside the body. Examples include:

  • Oxygen deprivation due to a heart attack or stroke
  • Aneurysm
  • Brain tumor
  • Meningitis and other infectious diseases that affect the brain
  • Near-drowning
  • Strangulation or suffocation
  • Hemorrhagic brain injury

How Do Brain Injuries Impact Vision?

Did you know that seeing clearly and comfortably requires using over half the brain? That?s why visual problems are so common after any type of brain injury.

Around 90% of patients who?ve suffered a traumatic brain injury have lingering visual symptoms, even weeks or months after the event. The most common visual problems associated with brain injuries include:

  • Blurred vision
  • Double vision
  • Headaches and eye pain
  • Visual field loss
  • Eye movement problems
  • Sensitivity to light
  • Eye strain and eye fatigue
  • Difficulty reading
  • Visual memory loss
  • Motion sensitivity that can cause dizziness, nausea

These visual symptoms often take a back seat to life-threatening medical concerns immediately after a brain injury. Yet left untreated, they can become chronic and debilitating and can significantly impact not only your vision but your quality of life and productivity at work or school.

That?s where neuro-optometry comes in.

How Can a Neuro-Optometrist Help?

A neuro-optometrist can help restore either partial or total visual functioning to patients who?ve suffered from brain injuries and other neurological conditions. Neuro-optometrists develop a personalized treatment regimen to bring back your clear and comfortable vision

By stimulating the areas of the brain that aren?t functioning optimally, a neuro-optometrist helps the patient?s brain retrain its neural connections to strengthen the coordination between the eyes and the brain.

Neuro-optometric rehabilitation therapy uses therapeutic lenses and prisms and incorporates highly customized visual exercises to improve the patient?s daily functioning.

This form of visual rehabilitation is evidence-based in restoring visual, perceptual and oculomotor functioning.

If you or a loved one has sustained a brain injury, whether recently or some time ago, we can help. To schedule a functional visual evaluation, contact Opto-mization NeuroVisual Performance in Victoria 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: How long does neuro-optometric rehabilitation therapy take?

A: Because each case is unique, there is no standard length of treatment. Neuro-optometric rehabilitation therapy can take weeks, months, and sometimes years, depending on the patient?s condition, visual goals and response to treatment. Your eye doctor will customize a treatment plan suited to your specific needs.

Q: Do all optometrists offer neuro-optometric rehabilitation?

A: No. Neuro-optometry requires specialized post-graduate training after receiving a Doctor of Optometry degree that includes education on the neuro-visual system and how to diagnose and treat neurological conditions that impact your eyes and visual system.

Share
Our Victoria Practice
Opto-Mization Optometry & Vision Therapy
200-775 Topaz Ave
Victoria, BC V8T 4Z7
Phone
(250) 590-7384
Fax
250-412-6459
Email
(Do not send personal health information by email.)
  • Monday:
    8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
  • Tuesday:
    8:30 AM - 6:00 PM
  • Wednesday:
    8:30 AM - 6:00 PM
  • Thursday:
    8:30 AM - 6:00 PM
  • Friday:
    8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
  • Saturday:
    8:30 AM - 3:30 PM
  • Sunday:
    Closed
Rating
5.0
Out of 267 Reviews
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:
    Closed
Rating
5.0
Out of 60 Reviews

You Ask, We'll Answer

Educating you so you can make informed decisions

View More Resources
Want to ask a different question? Contact us here
  • 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.