March Is Brain Injury Awareness Month: Vision Problems After Concussion and Brain Injury

March Is Brain Injury Awareness Month

March is recognized nationwide as Brain Injury Awareness Month, a time dedicated to increasing understanding of traumatic brain injury (TBI), concussion, and other acquired brain injuries. Millions of people each year experience brain injuries from falls, sports injuries, car accidents, and other trauma.

While many people are aware of symptoms such as headaches or memory problems, vision problems after concussion or brain injury are extremely common but often overlooked.

At New Horizons Vision Therapy Center, we frequently help patients experiencing post-concussion vision problems, dizziness, double vision, and reading difficulties that stem from changes in the brain’s visual processing system.

The Brain and Vision Are Closely Connected

Many people think vision only involves the eyes. In reality, vision is primarily a brain function. More than 80% of the brain is either involved with or connects to the visual system.   Because of this strong connection, traumatic brain injuries and concussions frequently disrupt visual function. Studies suggest that up to 90% of individuals with brain injuries experience some form of visual dysfunction.

These visual issues can make everyday tasks—such as reading, working on a computer, driving, or maintaining balance—much more difficult.

Common Vision Problems After Concussion or Brain Injury

Patients with post-concussion syndrome or traumatic brain injury may experience a variety of visual symptoms, including:

• Double vision
• Blurred or fluctuating vision
• Difficulty focusing when reading
• Eye strain or headaches with screens
• Light sensitivity (photophobia)
• Dizziness or motion sensitivity
• Difficulty tracking moving objects
• Poor balance or spatial awareness
• Difficulty concentrating while reading
• Losing place while reading

These symptoms can interfere with school performance, work productivity, and daily activities.

Why Vision Problems After Brain Injury Are Often Missed

A common misconception is that 20/20 eyesight means vision is normal. However, a standard eye exam mainly measures visual acuity (clarity of sight) and does not fully evaluate how the eyes and brain work together.

After a concussion or brain injury, many patients develop problems with:

• Eye teaming (binocular vision dysfunction)
• Eye tracking and eye movements (oculomotor dysfunction)
• Focusing ability (accommodative dysfunction)
• Visual motion processing
• Visual spatial skills

These functional vision skills are critical for reading, learning, balance, and coordination.

Because they are not always included in routine eye exams, post-concussion vision problems often go undiagnosed.

Vision Therapy for Concussion and Brain Injury

The good news is that many vision problems after concussion or traumatic brain injury can improve with neuro-optometric rehabilitation and vision therapy.

Vision therapy is a personalized program designed to retrain the connection between the eyes and the brain.

Treatment may include:

• Neuro-optometric rehabilitation for brain injury recovery
• Prism lenses to improve how the two eyes work together and/or spatial orientation
• Therapeutic lenses and filters for light sensitivity
• Eye tracking and eye movement therapy
• Binocular vision therapy to improve eye coordination
• Visual-vestibular integration to reduce dizziness and motion sensitivity

These therapies help rebuild neural pathways and improve visual comfort, stability, and processing.

Neuro-optometric Rehabilitation in Waunakee and Waukesha, Wisconsin

At New Horizons Vision Therapy Center, we provide comprehensive neuro-visual evaluations for concussion, traumatic brain injury, and visual processing disorders.

Our clinics in Waunakee and Waukesha, Wisconsin specialize in diagnosing and treating:

• Post-concussion vision syndrome
• Traumatic brain injury vision problems
• Double vision and binocular vision dysfunction
• Visual motion sensitivity
• Reading and tracking difficulties
• Dizziness and visual balance problems

Treatment programs are customized to help patients:

• Reduce headaches and visual fatigue
• Improve reading ability and concentration
• Decrease dizziness and motion sensitivity
• Restore eye coordination and visual stability
• Return to work, school, and daily activities more comfortably

Raising Awareness During Brain Injury Awareness Month

Brain injuries are often called “invisible injuries” because symptoms can persist long after the initial trauma and are not always visible to others.

During Brain Injury Awareness Month, it is important for patients, families, educators, and healthcare providers to recognize that persistent symptoms after concussion may be related to the visual system.

If you or someone you know is experiencing vision problems, dizziness, headaches, or reading difficulty after a concussion or brain injury, a neuro-visual evaluation may provide important answers.