Post-Concussion Syndrome

Does Vision Therapy Work for Post-Concussion Syndrome?

We all know that concussions are a serious medical condition, but did you know that they can also affect your vision? In fact, for some people, concussions can cause visual disturbances that last up to six months after the injury. Read on as an Annapolis, MD vision therapy optometrist discusses post-concussion syndrome and how vision therapy can help.

 

What Is Post-Concussion Syndrome?

Post-concussion syndrome is a set of symptoms that can occur after a traumatic brain injury.


It is common for people who suffer concussions to experience headaches, dizziness, and trouble concentrating. However, post-concussion syndrome goes beyond these symptoms and can include problems with memory, sleep disturbance, depression, and anxiety. 


The symptoms of post-concussion syndrome can vary in severity, but they usually begin within the first few weeks after the injury and last for at least three months. Symptoms may start as soon as 24 hours after a concussion and get worse over time. 


Visual Effects of a Concussion

One of the most common side effects of concussion is a change in vision.


This can happen even if you don’t lose consciousness or have any physical signs of injury. If you experience any kind of head trauma, it’s important to have your eyes checked by an eye doctor right away.


Vision problems may include:

  • Blurred vision
  • Double vision
  • Halos around lights
  • Seeing colors differently than they really are 
  • Flashes of light  
  • Seeing straight lines as curved 


If you experience any of these symptoms after a head injury, it’s important to get an eye exam right away. The same is true if you’ve been diagnosed with concussion and your vision hasn’t returned back to normal within two weeks.


How Can Vision Therapy Help?

Concussions are a serious medical issue, but they’re not always taken seriously by the people who suffer them.


You may have heard of concussion and vision therapy at the same time, but what does it mean? How does vision therapy work? And how can it help treat concussions?


Vision therapy is a treatment for various visual disorders, including those that affect depth perception and eye coordination. The goal of vision therapy is to improve your ability to focus on objects in your environment, as well as your ability to track objects with your eyes. 


Ultimately, vision therapy works to retrain your brain so that you don’t have to work so hard at seeing accurately all the time.


If you have more questions or wish to schedule a consultation, please feel free to call our Annapolis, MD vision therapy optometry office anytime!