When people think of what happens with a traumatic brain injury or a concussion (which is technically a milder form of a TBI), most associate these injuries with confusion, headache, dizziness, and loss of consciousness. These symptoms alone are enough to seek medical care. But did you know that these injuries can cause changes to your eyesight?
Eyesight Symptoms to Watch for After a TBI or Concussion
A TBI is Studies performed by the Neuro-Optometric Rehabilitation Association (NORA) concluded that up to 90 percent of TBI patients experience vision problems after their injuries. Common symptoms include:
- Blurry vision
- Double vision
- Peripheral vision loss
- Sensitivity to light
- Difficulty reading
- Headaches when doing visual tasks
Have Your Eyes Examined After a Concussion or TBI
Vision changes after a brain injury are very common; however, these changes do not always show up right away. Most at risk for vision problems after a TBI are children or teenagers who may suffer a concussion while playing sports. It is always a good idea to have your or your child’s eyes examined soon after experiencing a TBI or concussion.
While some problems might only be temporary, it is important for your eye health and overall wellbeing to diagnose any visual system disorders related to the injury early on for the best outcomes. If left untreated, eyesight symptoms could lead to problems like:
- Chronic headaches
- Reduced depth perception
- Difficulty organizing or processing visual information
- Balance issues
- Difficulty concentrating
- Difficulty with eye tracking
Your eye health and well-being are important to us. Give Valley Eyecare a call at (602) 955-2700 to schedule an eye exam if you or a family member experiences a concussion or traumatic brain injury.
