Traumatic Brain Injuries and Vision | Brain Injury Awareness Month

​A traumatic brain injury (TBI) involves force to the head that disrupts normal brain function. The disruption may be mild, such as a concussion, or it can be severe. Common causes of traumatic brain injuries include falls, motor vehicle accidents, and sports injuries. Traumatic brain injuries can interfere with the signals between the eyes and the brain and affect vision. 

​How can a traumatic brain injury impact vision? 

Brain injuries can impact vision in several ways. Symptoms may occur immediately after the injury or develop later from the damage. Some vision changes may be temporary and resolve. In other instances, vision problems may be permanent.

A traumatic injury to the brain can damage the nerve fibers that send signals from the brain to the retina. Brain injuries can also increase pressure on the optic nerve. If the pressure is severe enough, it can interfere with the blood supply to the retina and cause vision loss. 
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​Symptoms of vision problems related to a TBI

Usually, vision problems depend on what part of the brain was injured. Immediate vision changes may include:

• Blurred vision
• Pain in the eyes
• Inability to focus
• Dizziness
• Double vision

Longer lasting symptoms are also possible due to a brain injury and may include the following:

• Visual acuity loss: Visual acuity is the sharpness or clarity of vision.
• Trouble with eye movements: Some people with brain injuries develop problems with certain eye movements, such as looking up or down.
• Loss of visual field: Loss of visual field involves decreased vision in a specific part of vision, such as a blind spot or loss of side vision.
• Delayed visual processing: This problem involves a delay in understanding the information sent from the eye. For example, you may see an image, but your brain does not make sense of what it is.
• Photophobia: Photophobia, which is sensitivity to light, is a very common effect after a traumatic brain injury. According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, roughly 60 percent of veterans that had sustained a traumatic brain injury report having photophobia. 

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​Treatment for vision issues related to a TBI

Treatment for a traumatic brain injury may involve a team of healthcare providers. All brain injuries are unique, and the recovery process is also varied.

Treatment for vision issues related to a traumatic brain injury is vital for overall well-being. Visual issues can lead to problems with balance and dizziness. Treating vision problems can also aid with other areas of recovery, such as physical and vocational therapy. The following treatments and tools may help:

• Optical aids: Different optical aids are available that might help with problems focusing or double vision.
• Magnifiers: For people that have low vision, magnifiers are helpful for reading and other tasks.
• Prism glasses: Prism glasses are special glasses that change the way light reaches the eyes. These glasses can help decrease double vision.
• Vision rehabilitation: Vision rehabilitation can encompass several different things to improve functioning. It may involve specific activities and exercises to improve eye tracking or focusing. It often also includes teaching patients how to use visual aids and lenses to improve vision efficacy. 

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TBI prevention 

March is Brain Injury Awareness Month, and it is a good reminder that we should all do what we can to decrease our risk of a traumatic brain injury. Below are several suggestions to prevent head injuries.

• Always wear your seatbelt when riding in a car.
• Wear an appropriate helmet when biking, riding a motorcycle, skateboarding, and skiing.
• Use safety gates to prevent falls down the stairs by young children.
• Remove hazards, such as loose rugs, from your home to reduce the risk of falls.
• Have regular eye exams to detect issues related to vision that may lead to decreased vision and increase your risk of falls.

If you have any questions about brain injuries, such as how they affect the eyes, we are happy to answer your questions. Also, if would like to schedule an exam with one of our eye doctors, please call our office at 508-746-8600.