Vision

67% of neural connections within the brain are involved with some aspect of vision, whether it is visual input, visual perception, or visual integration.  With so many of the connections within the brain involved with the process of vision, it is no wonder that vision problems are so common following an acquired brain injury.

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Below are a few of the area of vision that may be affected following a concussion or with a mild brain injury. At Lab Health and as part of your concussion recovery your therapist may refer you to a vision therapy rehab optometrist who can work with you  

• Accommodative Insufficiency – This condition is a reduction in eye focusing ability that results in blurry vision at near, even in young athletes.  Near vision may be constantly blurry or may pulse in and out of clarity during near activities like reading.

• Blurry Vision - Blurry vision following a concussion can occur at distance, near, or both.

• Convergence Insufficiency – This inability to use the eyes comfortably at near can result in a number of symptoms including: headaches, eyestrain, fatigue, or even double vision during near activities.

• Double Vision – There are several causes of double vision, which is why anyone who sees double (even intermittently) should be evaluated by an optometrist with advanced training in neuro-optometry, binocular vision, and vision therapy.

• Light Sensitivity – Photophobia, or light sensitivity, can result from various types of acquired brain injuries (including concussions).

• Ocular-Motor Dysfunction – Deficiencies in eye movement abilities are quite common following concussions and other forms of mild traumatic brain injuries.  These eye movement deficits can pose challenges with many activities of daily life, including reading and driving.

• Reduced Cognitive Abilities With Visual Tasks - Visual perceptual deficits can be caused by concussions and have dramatic effects on academic and even athletic success.

• Reduced Visual Processing Speed or Reaction Time – Prolonged visual processing speed can slow down an athlete both on and off the field.  The speed with which an athlete processes visual information affects many aspects of athletic competition, including: reading the field of play, judging the speed of a moving ball or puck, and judging the speed of other players on the field.

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Psychological

Mental health and concussion rehab is concerned with the applied science of brain-behaviour relationships. Clinical neuropsychologists use this knowledge in the assessment, diagnosis, treatment, and or rehabilitation of patients across the lifespan with neurological, medical, neurodevelopmental, post traumatic stress and psychiatric conditions, as well as other cognitive and learning disorders. Clinical assessment is primarily by way of neuropsychological testing, but also includes taking the patient's history, qualitative observation and may also draw on findings from brain imaging and other diagnostic investigations. A comprehensive neuropsychological assessment may take several hours and may need to be conducted over more than a single visit.

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Physiological

The impact of a concussion affects the mechanical, physical, and biochemical functions of humans, their organs and the cells of which they are composed. These processes can be interrupted or over stimulated with brain injuries changing how the organs function and or control processes in the body.

After a head injury the brain experiences decreased blood flow and a disruption in autonomic regulation. This leads to a higher likelihood of transitioning to a fight or flight state, during physical or mental situations that are usually easily managed. this may present itself as a short temper, irritability, anxiety, fatigue, frustration and exhaustion. ​