A brain injury is typically referred to as an Acquired Brain Injury(ABI) but may also be called a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) when caused by external force to the head. Examples of a TBI, are a motor vehicle accident, a fall, or contact sports. An ABI can be the result of a medical condition such as stroke, tumour, aneurism, meningitis and cerebral palsy, or other neurological insults.
Visual problems are often overlooked during initial treatment of a brain injury and in some cases; symptoms may not be present until sometime following the injury.
Optometrists with a specific interest in neuro-optometric rehabilitation are being increasingly sought out as a part of multi-disciplinary medical teams assisting patients to rehabilitate from acquired brain injury.
Visual dysfunction following Acquired Brain Injury is common, with a wide variety of symptoms related to vision reported including
- Headaches
- Vertigo
- Diplopia (Double vision)
- Visual fatigue
- Focusing difficulty
- Movement of print on the page when reading
- Difficulty tracking
- Sensitivity to light
- Reduced field of vision
- Reduced depth perception
- Reduced colour vision perception
- Spatial disorientation
- Difficulty with posture and balance
- Delayed reaction time
- Impaired memory
When a person has an ABI, often one type of rehabilitation is not enough to address all of his/her needs. An interdisciplinary, integrated team approach can play a vital role in the rehabilitation of patients with concussions, stroke or other neurological deficits. In addition to optometrists, rehabilitation team members may include nurses, physical and occupational therapists, speech-language pathologists, physical medicine and rehab physicians, neurologists, neuropsychologists, audiologists, ophthalmologists, and others.
If you or a loved one, are experiencing symptoms related to an ABI, don’t hesitate to contact us today at 02 9982 1039.
