Vision Therapy for Head Trauma (Acquired Brain Injury)

Acquired Brain Injury is essentially an insult to the brain.  It can be the result of a blow to the head, a stroke, a neurological dysfunction or other events. Below are some of the most common diagnoses:

• Traumatic Brain Injury
• Mild Acquired Brain Injury
• Mild Closed Head Injury
• Post-Concussive Syndrome
• Cervical Trauma Syndrome
• Post Traumatic Vision Syndrome
• Stroke
• Cerebral Palsy
• Cerebral Vascular Accident

Visual dysfunction can be one of the effects suffered as the result of a brain injury.  Many times these problems are hidden and perhaps even neglected, which can lengthen or impair the patient’s rehabilitation.

Because of the importance of vision as a sensory source and the role that vision plays in providing information to the brain, a brain injury can greatly disrupt that flow of information.  The result is a vision problem.  Symptoms include:

• Blurred vision
• Sensitivity to light
• Reading difficulties
• Comprehension difficulty
• Attention and concentration difficulty
• Memory difficulty
• Double vision
• Aching eyes
• Headaches with visual tasks
• Loss of visual field

Many times health care professionals – even those in head trauma rehabilitation centers – are unaware of the visual problems that can occur as a result of Acquired Brain Injury.   There is often a gap in this area of rehabilitative services which can lead to incomplete treatment.  Vision therapy from a qualified vision care professional like Dr. Beasley can be a very practical and effective part of the rehabilitation process.