Brian Injuries and Vision: What is the Connection? | Brain Injury Awareness Month

A brain injury can occur due to sudden trauma to the head. Trauma to the head is caused by various types of accidents, falls, and assaults. Injury to the brain can affect memory, thinking, learning, and movement. It may also affect vision. 
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Brain injuries are very common. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in the United States, in 2020, over 214,000 people were hospitalized for a brain injury. 

Injuries to the brain may range from mild to life-threatening. How a brain injury may impact vision can also vary. The article below examines the connection between brain injuries and vision. 

What causes vision problems after a brain injury 

Vision loss after a brain injury is common. However, a diagnosis does not always come immediately after the head injury. The diagnosis of vision problems may be delayed since trauma patients may be unconscious. 

A brain injury may affect vision in different ways. Nerve fibers that transmit messages from the brain to the retina may become injured. Increased pressure in the brain may also affect the blood supply to the eye, leading to vision problems. 

Depending on the part of the brain impacted by the brain injury, it can cause functional or structural damage to areas that affect vision. Damage to vision can develop if there is involvement to the brain in areas such as:

• Cranial nerves
• Optic nerve tract
• Occipital lobe 

As a result of the brain injury to one or more of those areas, symptoms can occur, including: 

• Blurred vision 
• Decreased peripheral vision 
• Double vision 
• Blindness 

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Possible visual issues after a brain injury

Some vision problems after a brain injury may resolve. In other cases, vision problems are permanent. According to the Neuro-Optometric Rehabilitation Association, brain injuries may impact vision in some of the following ways: 

Eye focusing: Someone may have trouble shifting focus between near and far objects. 

Problems with the eyes working together: The eyes may not work correctly together, which can lead to double vision. 

Motion sensitivity: Vision plays a role in balance. This system may become damaged, which causes difficulty in processing motion. 

Delay in visual processing: This involves not understanding or processing what you see. 

Eye movement deficits: An individual with a brain injury may have damaged the part of the brain that controls eye movement. The result is trouble with eye movements, such as looking left or right.
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Reducing the risk of brain injuries 

March is Brain Injury Awareness Month. It is a good reminder to take certain precautions to reduce your risk of a brain injury. Consider the following ways to decrease your risk of a head injury:

• Always wear your seatbelt. Vehicle accidents are one of the most common causes of head injuries. 
• Wear a helmet when biking, skating, skiing, or riding a scooter. A fall to the ground can lead to a serious brain injury. Wearing a helmet may be the difference between a severe or mild injury. 
• Never drive under the influence of drugs or alcohol, that includes medications that may make you sleepy. 
• Take steps to prevent falls at home, such as installing handrails, clearing clutter, and installing safety gates as needed. 

Remember, if you sustain any type of head injury, it is best to have it checked out. You can experience delayed vision issues after a brain injury. If you have any questions, we are happy to help. 

If you would like to ask whether an appointment with one of our eye doctors would be appropriate at this time, call our office at 508-746-8600.