Vision Problems After Concussion: What Physical Therapy Can Do
A concussion is a type of mild traumatic brain injury (TBI) that affects various brain functions, including vision. While many associate concussions with headaches and dizziness, vision problems like blurred vision, light sensitivity, and difficulty focusing are often overlooked. These issues can interfere with daily activities such as reading, driving, or working.
At FYZICAL Cinco Ranch East in Katy, TX, we specialize in concussion treatment and management through physical therapy. In this blog, we’ll explore how concussions impact vision and how targeted physical therapy can help restore visual function and improve overall recovery.
How Concussions Affect Vision
A concussion can disrupt how the brain processes visual information, leading to post-trauma vision syndrome (PTVS). Symptoms may appear immediately or develop over time.
Key effects include:
- Vestibular-Ocular Reflex: Damage to the vestibular system, which controls balance, can cause blurred or double vision.
- Eye Movement & Tracking: Concussions can impair smooth eye movements, making activities like reading and driving difficult.
- Visual Processing: The brain may struggle to interpret visual information, affecting object recognition, depth perception, and spatial awareness.
Common Vision Problems After a Concussion
- Blurred or double vision: Difficulty focusing on objects at different distances.
- Eye strain or fatigue: Discomfort when reading, using screens, or performing visual tasks.
- Light sensitivity (photophobia): Increased sensitivity to bright lights or glare.
- Difficulty tracking objects: Trouble following moving objects or reading lines of text.
- Loss of depth perception: Difficulty judging distances, which can affect coordination.
- Headaches triggered by visual tasks: Straining the eyes can lead to headaches and discomfort.
How Physical Therapy Helps with Post-Concussion Vision Problems
Physical therapy helps manage concussions by treating neurological and musculoskeletal effects. At FYZICAL Cinco Ranch East in Katy, TX, our physical therapists use targeted physical therapies to restore visual function, improve coordination, and reduce discomfort after a concussion.
These include:
1. Vestibular Therapy for Vision and Balance
The vestibular system, located in the inner ear, controls balance and eye movements. A concussion can disrupt this system, causing dizziness, unsteady walking, and vision problems.
Vestibular rehabilitation therapy (VRT) helps retrain the brain through gaze stabilization exercises to improve focus, balance training to reduce dizziness, and motion sensitivity therapy to ease discomfort.
2. Oculomotor Training for Eye Coordination
Oculomotor dysfunction after a concussion can make tracking objects, switching focus, or reading challenging. Physical therapy includes smooth pursuit exercises, convergence exercises,and saccadic eye movements. These techniques strengthen eye muscles, enhance focus, and reduce strain for better recovery.
3. Light Sensitivity Management
Bright lights and screens can worsen concussion symptoms, affecting daily activities. Treatment includes gradual exposure therapy to help the brain adjust, blue light filtering to reduce strain, and environmental modifications for comfort.
4. Neck and Posture Correction for Vision Clarity
A concussion can affect the neck, causing tension, misalignment, and poor posture, which contribute to headaches, dizziness, and vision issues.
Our physical therapy in Katy, TX, includes manual therapy, postural retraining, and stretching to relieve strain, improve alignment, and enhance blood flow for better recovery.
Why Choose FYZICAL Cinco Ranch East for Concussion Treatment?
At FYZICAL Cinco Ranch East, we provide personalized concussion treatment, tailoring physical therapy to each patient’s individual symptoms. When you choose our physical therapy services in Katy, TX, you benefit from:
- Expert Concussion Management: Our therapists specialize in treating post-concussion symptoms, including vision problems, balance issues, and headaches.
- State-of-the-Art Techniques: We use evidence-based therapies, including vestibular and oculomotor rehabilitation, to speed up recovery.
- One-on-One Care: Every patient receives individualized attention and customized treatment plans.
- Holistic Recovery Approach: We address vision, balance, neck alignment, and cognitive function for comprehensive healing.
- Insurance Coverage: We accept Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Medicare, Cigna, United Healthcare, and more for easier access to care.
Start Your Concussion Recovery Today
Struggling with vision problems after a concussion? Blurred vision, dizziness, and eye strain can make daily life exhausting, but expert concussion treatment can help. At FYZICAL Cinco Ranch East, our skilled physical therapists in Katy, TX, provide personalized care to restore your visual function and overall well-being.
Contact us today to schedule an appointment and regain clear vision and optimal function.