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Home » Private: What Is A Concussion? » Visual Effects Of A Concussion

Visual Effects Of A Concussion

67% of the 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.concussion5

There are several potential visual side effects of a concussion that are consistent with other form of mild traumatic brain injury. Some of these may improve with time, others may be unchanging, while others respond very well to active treatment.

Concussions can have the following effects on the visual system:

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.