5 Benefits of Vision Therapy Following a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)

A traumatic brain injury (TBI) affects the body in many ways, from mood swings to headaches to brain fog 一 and that’s just the tip of the iceberg. TBIs can cause physical, emotional, cognitive, and social symptoms, including vision problems.

Vision therapy can address any vision problems that result from a TBI, and this therapy is available at Maryland Eye Care Center.

Here, our team discusses vision therapy, including how it can benefit you after a TBI.

What is vision therapy?

Vision therapy is similar to physical therapy, but you strengthen your eyes instead of your musculoskeletal system.

Vision therapy is an umbrella term for a large group of assessments and eye exercises designed to help “teach” your eyes how to respond and react better to the visual information received. The purpose of these exercises is to help coordinate your vision system.

There are many reasons you might consider vision therapy. It’s ideal to treat amblyopia, strabismus, eye alignment issues, and focusing problems. It also helps people who suffer vision problems, such as eye tracking and coordination, from a TBI. 

5 benefits of vision therapy after a traumatic brain injury

Vision problems are common after a TBI. In fact, they’re often among the earliest signs of a TBI. Vision therapy after a traumatic brain injury can:

Correct double vision

Double vision (diplopia), seeing two of the same object, has many causes, including nerve damage and misaligned eyes. Aside from the practical difficulties of this problem, it can cause nausea, headaches, and eye pain.

Improve visual field 

According to a 2018 review, concussions commonly affect eye tracking, visual acuity, and visual field. Loss of visual field means you can’t see to your right or left (or your ability to do so is considerably diminished). 

Help prevent balance issues 

When your eyes aren’t coordinated and you see double, you might struggle with balance and coordination issues. You might be prone to falls. When your eyes aren’t working properly, it becomes hard to judge the visual space relative to your body. 

Improve your quality of life

Untreated vision problems affect your life in profound ways. It can be hard to perform simple tasks such as reading a recipe or typing an email. Squinting can lead to headaches. 

Be effective without surgery

Last 一 but certainly not least 一 vision therapy isn’t invasive. You needn’t worry about surgery. Vision therapy may include:

• Specialized lens prescriptions
• Lifestyle recommendations
• Eye exercises 
• Proper nutrition, with emphasis on food that supports vision
• Supplements 

Based on your specific needs, our team may recommend additional therapeutic programs that support comprehensive recovery.

Get started with vision therapy today

If a traumatic brain injury, including concussions, is affecting your vision, don’t suffer in silence. 

To learn more about the many benefits of vision therapy, call a Maryland Eye Care Center location in Hyattsville or Silver Spring, Maryland, or use our online booking tool to schedule your appointment today.