Vision problems are among the most common problems associated with acquired brain injuries. Causes of brain injury can include trauma, auto accidents, suffocation, drug reaction and strokes. Initially symptoms may be subtle but often become more of a concern with time. Specific problems can include poor memory, disorientation, loss of reading skills or poor word recall.
Common visual symptoms after brain injury include:
- Double vision
- Headaches
- Blurry vision
- Dizziness or nausea
- Attention or concentration difficulties
- Staring behavior (low blink rate)
- Spatial disorientation
- Lose place when reading
- Can't find beginning of next line when reading
- Comprehension problems when reading
- Visual memory problems
- Pulling away from objects when they are brought close
Unfortunately conventional ophthalmological treatment for these difficulties is many times limited. I have seen a number of patients told to cover one eye with a patch if they have double vision!! Others with slow reading speed have been told to get books on tape!! Some with attention and concentration difficulties are told to just accept it.
These difficulties can often be helped through the use of specialized lenses/prisms and/or optometric vision therapy. If you have concerns for yourself or a relative, give me a call so we can discuss it further.
--James B. Mayer, OD, FCOVD
Agape Learning & Optometry Center
Thousand Oaks, CA
