The impact of head trauma, even a mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI), otherwise known as a concussion, can have a serious impact on the visual system of the affected individual. What can be particularly frustrating is that the person who has sustained a concussion may not be able to find a professional who recognizes the post-concussion vision problems. Too often the symptoms from mTBI induced vision related problems can be confused as “other issues” from trauma and for many individuals, symptoms can persist for weeks, months and even years. However, when proper diagnosis of the visual deficit is made and vision rehabilitation treatment is provided a patient can “return to themselves”.
To address this complex topic, one of the leading experts in neuro-optometry, Dr. Barry Tannen, is interviewed by Dr. Leonard Press for Practice Update. This video is one of a series of interviews produced by Practice Update as a free online resource for healthcare professionals.
In addition to this video, at the VisionHelp Concussion Library, you can find research and articles to help provide an advanced understanding of concussion and how the visual system can be affected and what can be done to restore deficits in visual function.
Dan L. Fortenbacher, O.D., FCOVD
The VisionHelp Blog 