Concussion Information
A CONCUSSION IS A FORM OF MILD TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY.
Concussions are a result from a direct blow to the head or, indirectly from something such as whiplash.
The impact causes the brain to hit against the inside of the skull causing brain bruising. It is estimated that nearly ½ a million (~500,000) concussions occur yearly in the Canada.
CONCUSSION SYMPTOMS CAN PERSIST.
10-20% of concussions result in symptoms that can last weeks, months, or more. When these symptoms persist, a condition known as Post-Concussion Syndrome (PCS) occurs.
GENERAL SYMPTOMS
CONCUSSIONS HAVE THESE TYPICAL SYMPTOMS. * Vision related
- Confusion
- Headache
- Disorientation
- Vomiting and/or Nausea
- Unsteadiness
- Light sensitivity*
- Blurred Vision*
- Double vision*
- Loss of place when reading*
- Post-traumatic amnesia
- Dizziness
THE MISSING LINK
UP TO 1/2 OF SYMPTOMS ARE VISUAL, MEANING VISION IS OFTEN THE MISSING LINK.
Recent research suggests that over 50% of patients with concussion or post-concussion syndrome have visual problems that may cause headaches, eye-headaches, double vision, eye strain or blurred vision. These conditions may cause:
– Students to have decreased reading speed and comprehension.
– Athletes to have decreased concentration and reaction-time while playing their sport.
– Individuals to have decreased work-productivity while on a demanding occupational task.
Optometrists have a great understanding of the visual system. They have the opportunity to retrain the visual sub-skills through a program of vision therapy or neuro-optometric rehabilitation. This helps eliminate the visual symptoms most commonly associated with post-concussion syndrome and re-vitalize performance.
GETTING TREATMENT
YOU WILL WANT AN OPTOMETRIST DEDICATED TO NEURO-OPTOMETRIC REHABILITATION (VISION THERAPY)
Neuro-Optometric Rehabilitation represents a specific area of optometry, which addresses deficits in eye-teaming, focusing, visual tracking, visual processing problems, and related visual problems. These problems are common with patients who have concussion and other forms of acquired brain injury. Treatment may involve spectacle lens prescriptions, prisms, filters, special tints and vision therapy which can provide symptomatic relief.
Vision therapy entails a variety of non-surgical therapeutic procedures designed to vitalize visual function. Vision therapy involves a series of treatments during which carefully planned activities are carried out by the patient under professional supervision. The targeted treatments are determined by the nature and severity of the diagnosed condition. Vision therapy is done to enhance visual sub-skills to boost performance – not to simply strengthen eye muscles.