Vision Problems After Head Injuries & Stroke
A head injury can result in vision problems, and it doesn’t matter how young or old you are. Whether you have fallen off a bike, had a car accident or a stroke, vision problems can range from being very subtle to severe.
The more severe vision problems are obvious, the person complains of double vision, or words moving on the page. The problem is the more subtle vision problems which can have a wide variety of symptoms such as headaches, dizziness or nausea, motion sickness or even difficulty with balance or movement.
A Team Approach
Typically we find that patients who have suffered a head injury often require a team approach to help with overall recovery. We collaborate with Speech Language Pathologists, Occupational Therapists, Physical Therapists and Physiatrists to help our patients.
The First Step
The first step is a thorough evaluation of your vision to determine the best treatment for vision problems relating to stroke and acquired brain injuries including visual field loss. Treatment can include prism lenses which can often provide immediate relief. However, in some cases vision therapy is also needed. Your doctor will explain everything once the evaluation is completed.
Symptoms of Post Trauma Vision Syndrome
There are a variety of symptoms which are involved in Post Trauma Vision Syndrome, including:
- Blurred vision, especially when reading
- Headaches
- Double vision
- Pain in the eye or eyes
- Poor reading comprehension
- Sensitivity to light
- Loses place when reading
If you or a loved one has had a head injury, it would be wise to schedule an appointment to determine if some subtle vision problems may interfere with the recovery process. The good news is that most vision problems relating to head injury can be helped.
