What visual changes might occur after a brain injury?

Suffering from a brain injury comes with a variety of side effects that you might not expect. One of the possible side effects that you might notice is that you have changes in your vision. While these changes might not be severe, they can be different enough from your previous vision that they greatly affect your life.

Are ocular side effects easy to diagnose after a brain injury?

Ocular effects of a brain injury aren’t usually easy to diagnose because eye exams might come back normal. This is because the eye itself isn’t usually altered. Instead, the visual process is altered, which can be difficult to diagnose when things aren’t working properly.

What are some of the effects of eye changes after a brain injury?

You might suffer from poor reading comprehension, difficulty concentrating, blurred vision, difficulty reading, poor visual memory, double vision and loss of peripheral vision after an injury to the brain. In some cases, it might seem as though the words on a page are moving when you try to read. You might have poor depth perception or spatial judgement, which can make daily activities difficult. In some cases, you might suffer from headaches when you have to read or use your sense of sight.

How are these issues treated?

The treatment that will work for eye changes depends on the actual condition that is causing the issues. In some cases, eyeglasses might help. Special filters or lenses might be necessary. Therapy is also needed in some cases.

If you suffered a brain injury and have any of the visual issues that can come after the injury, you might need considerable eye care in the future. Seeking compensation might reduce the effect that the cost of eye care has on your budget.

Source: Neuro-Optometric Rehabilitation Association, International, Inc., “Brain Injury & Hidden Visual Problems,” accessed Nov. 10, 2015