A traumatic brain injury, or TBI, is defined as an “insult to the brain.” These injuries include blows to the head, neurological dysfunctions, and stroke. Playing contact sports such as football may result in TBI, and vision problems are a common side effect. Vision impairment affects 20 to 40% of TBI patients, but the eye doctors at Allens Creek Family Optometry in Rochester, NY can help.

Take a look at what the celebrated eye doctors want you to know about TBI-related vision problems:

• Visual Field Loss: Visual field loss involves becoming blind to a quarter or half your field of vision due to nerve fiber damage. This results in higher risk of falling, bumping into objects, and being hit by approaching objects. Loss falls into several categories, the most common of which are hemianopsia and quadranopsia. The former involves losing half of your vertical or horizontal visual field, and the latter means losing a quarter of your vision field.
• Visual Acuity Loss: Visual acuity loss refers to loss of clarity, such as when a person who wears prescription glasses takes them off. Acuity loss ranges from minor to major in those suffering from TBI.

• Eye Movement Problems: Eye movement problems associated with TBI include issues with eye tracking, focusing, quick shifting of gaze, eye teaming, and eye alignment.
• Additional Issues: Other symptoms associated with TBI include blurred vision, sensitivity to light and glare, headaches when performing visual tasks, reading and comprehension problems, double vision, memory issues, aching eyes, and problems maintaining visual contact.

Vision problems following TBI vary by patient. Some are temporary, while others are permanent. Your eye doctor at Allens Creek Family Optometry will diagnose your issue to determine the best course of vision therapy.

Trust your eyes to the experts at Allens Creek Family Optometry and receive the comprehensive vision therapy you deserve. Call (585) 461-6225 or visit the website today to learn more.