Home
| Health
| Internal Organs
| Brain Injuries
| Vision Therapy for a Traumatic Brain Injury
Vision Therapy for a Traumatic Brain Injury
by Chantel Alise
-
Overview
A traumatic brain injury, or TBI, directly affects brain function. It can result from many causes, such as a hit on the head or a stroke. Whatever its cause, such an injury can result in a long list of potential problems for the patient, including cognitive, physical, sensory and visual impairment. When vision deficits occur, one possible treatment to overcome the issue is vision therapy.
-
Effects of TBI
According to Optometrists Network, vision problems related to TBI commonly include the following symptoms: disorientation, distorted or double vision, dizziness, eye pain, headaches and light sensitivity. TBI can also cause blinking changes, color distortion, comprehension problems, dry eye, eye movement changes, inability to concentrate, inability to make or keep eye contact, loss or reduction of vision range, memory deficits, reading problems, seizures, spatial difficulties and staring tendencies. In severe instances, anxiety and depression may also be present.
According to HelpForVisionLoss.com, more than 1 million people in America experience visual problems from TBI every year. Defects in vision can affect the patient's life, which in turn alters self-esteem and self-reliance. It can also affect other rehabilitative efforts. It is for these reasons, and because of the brain's ability to adapt and repair, that vision therapy may be helpful.
-
Vision Therapy
According to Optometrists Network, correction programs like the Bates, See Clearly, and Vision for Life methods do not constitute vision restoration therapy (VRT). Those systems focus on the eye while VRT focuses on the connections between the brain and the eye.
According to HelpForVisionLoss.com, a noninvasive medical device has the capability to stimulate the nerves of the eye to restore visual function. Nova Vision Restoration Therapy can be used right away or years after the original injury. Patients in most age groups can use it.
Science Daily reports that VRT is performed twice daily in the patient's home. It uses a leased computer device developed specifically for these treatments. Therapy lasts for about six months, but patients may be advised to take break periods every few weeks.
Patients, once evaluated, have a map input into the computer with light stimuli provided for the parts of his brain requiring new connections. During sessions, patients follow the program, responding to light stimuli according to outlined prompts.
VRT activates the brain's self-repair mechanism through this visual stimulation within the borderline area where sight ends and non-sight begins. Progress is regularly monitored and adjusted to ensure the patient receives the maximum benefit of the process.
VRT improves overall visual skills and the interpretation and processing of visual information. Success rates range between 75 percent and 88 percent, according to Nova Vision.
Nearly all patients experiencing visual field loss are considered eligible for VRT. Exceptions include those with certain types of eye disease, seizures brought on by light, severe cognitive abnormalities, and some types of nervous system disorders.
