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Neuro-Optometric Care at New Horizons Vision Therapy Center


Are you or a loved one struggling with visual issues after a neurological event or injury? Our neuro-optometric rehabilitation services in Waunakee offer hope. Specializing in treating vision dysfunctions due to concussions, brain injuries, and other neurological disorders, we pave the way for recovery, aiming to enhance visual function and quality of life.

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Neuro-optometry focuses on the complex relationship between the optical system and the brain, especially following neurological disorders or trauma. It's an area of optometric care that addresses how brain injuries or diseases impact visual function, including how we process and interpret what we see.

Neuro-optometric rehabilitation, or visual rehabilitation, uses vision therapy and specialized therapeutic lenses to address and alleviate the visual consequences of brain trauma. It is a holistic approach, focusing not just on the eyes but on improving the overall visual processing abilities of the brain.

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The Role of Vision in Seeing
and Understanding


It is estimated that 80-85% of our perception, cognition, and activities are mediated through vision, making it our dominant sense. In individuals with neurological impairments—such as those caused by traumatic brain injuries, cerebral vascular accidents, or multiple sclerosis—the incidence of visual-cognitive disorders is remarkably high, affecting more than half of patients.

The areas of vision affected by brain injury can be broken down into four general categories:

  • Visual Acuity
  • Visual Field
  • Oculomotor Abilities
  • Visual perception

Treating Visual Acuity Challenges


Visual acuity, or the sharpness of sight, plays a significant role in how we perceive the world. It is commonly assessed using the Snellen chart, delivering measurements like 20/20, indicating clear vision, or 20/200, signifying severe visual impairment. Conditions like myopia, hyperopia, astigmatism, and presbyopia can all blur visual acuity.

Sudden changes in prescription following a brain injury are not uncommon. These changes reflect alterations in the brain or visual motor systems. Addressing these changes through adjusting prescriptions or treating underlying eye conditions is crucial for restoring clarity and comfort.

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Addressing Visual Field Loss


The visual field encompasses the total area in which objects can be seen as we focus our gaze on a central point. It includes central and peripheral vision. Neurological conditions can lead to specific patterns of loss in the visual field, such as hemianopsia—the loss of half the field of view. Additionally, some patients may experience visual neglect, a condition where one side of the visual field is ignored, complicating tasks and affecting daily activities.

Oculomotor Skill Improvement


Oculomotor abilities encompass the eye movements that allow us to track and focus on objects in our environment. These skills are vital for reading, sports, and daily life. After a neurological event, challenges in oculomotor function can emerge, impacting the ability to follow moving objects smoothly or quickly shift focus between two points. Visual rehabilitation can significantly improve quality of life by restoring more natural eye movement patterns and improving overall visual processing.

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Restoring Visual Perception


Visual perception involves the brain's ability to interpret and make sense of visual information. This process is crucial for recognizing shapes, colors, and patterns and understanding spatial relationships and depth. Neurological injuries can disrupt these perceptual skills, leading to difficulties in reading, navigating environments, and performing tasks that require visual-spatial coordination. Targeted therapies can help patients relearn these essential skills, enabling them to better interact with their surroundings.

Enhancing Life Through Neuro-Optometric Rehabilitation in Waunakee


Have you experienced a neurological event that's impacted your vision? Don't navigate this journey alone. At New Horizons Vision Therapy Center, our neuro-optometric rehabilitation services support individuals recovering from neurological events or trauma.

By focusing on the relationship between the brain and the visual system, our neuro-optometrist, Dr. Valerie Frazer, addresses visual dysfunctions, such as double vision, light sensitivity, visual inattention, and loss of peripheral vision. Our rehabilitation process employs specialized therapeutic lenses and vision therapy programs to treat these conditions, enhancing visual information processing and spatial perception. Book a consultation with us and take the first step toward visual recovery.

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