Can a Concussion Change Your Vision?

Visual issues are a common after suffering a concussion, in fact between 69 and 82% of people who’ve experienced concussion report visual problems, such as eye strain and double or blurred vision. Visual issues as a result of a concussion are often overlooked in concussion management, when left untreated can prolong the outcome of a concussion. You may in fact be suffering from Post Trauma Vision Syndrome. (PTVS)

How Does a Concussion Affect Vision?

Head trauma causes the brain to move in the skull. This movement can stretch the fragile neurons and even damage brain cells. Vision relies on efficient communication between the eyes and the brain, a concussion can disrupt these neural pathways, affecting your vision.

Head trauma can also impact the neck, with many concussion suffers reporting stiffness and pain in the neck. In fact less force is required to produce a whiplash than a concussion. The neck, eyes and ears all work closely together so when one isn’t functioning correctly it can affect all three.

It is common for concussion sufferers to complain of visual issues and neck pain/stiffness and the two often need to be treated concurrently to achieve the best outcome.

More on Post Trauma Vision Syndrome

PTSV refers to a number of visual problems that occur following a head injury. Symptoms include:

• Trouble focusing
• Issues judging distance or the relationships of one object to another
• Ability to follow words or objects on a screen or text
• Issues with objects in your periphery
• Eye Alignment
  

These issues can affect your ability to perform activities of daily living and cause anxiety and depression. Driving, reading, work or school tasks and even socialising can become difficult.

How Long Do Visual Problems Last After a Concussion?

Visual symptoms following a concussion can remain for weeks, months or even years after the original accident, especially if undiagnosed. Any person who has had a concussion should be assessed by an Ophthalmologist, especially if they are showing early signs of visual difficulties.

It’s also important to have any issues with your neck addressed with our experienced Osteopaths, who can also perform evidence based concussion assessments and set you on the right path to recovery.

Melbourne Headache + Migraine group is made up of Osteopaths from Williamstown Health + Lifestyle. We have conduced further evidence supported training into headache, migraine and concussion management.