_j.jpg)
March is Brain Injury Awareness Month! Therefore, it’s a great time not only to raise public awareness about the impact of Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) but also help the public better understand and compassionately respond to this community’s needs. A TBI is caused by a bump, blow or jolt to the head or a penetrating head injury that disrupts the normal function of the brain. The severity of a TBI may range from “mild” to “severe.” Unlike most injuries, those who have sustained a TBI suffer from challenges which tend to be largely invisible. The effects of a TBI may lead to lifelong physical, behavioral, and emotional challenges.
Brain Injury Awareness Month is important to us here at NeuroSensory Center of Bellaire as head injuries have a severe impact on vision. It is our goal during the month of March to spread knowledge and bring awareness to brain injuries and the severe impact they have on the visual system. It is important to remember vision does not bypass repercussion when trauma to the brain occurs. Therefore, visual dysfunctions are closely connected with brain injuries. By addressing visual issues, it can make a HUGE impact on the severity of symptoms TBI patients must deal with. Many who have sustained a brain injury can no longer use their eyes to track correctly for activities like reading or driving; they can also experience symptoms such as poor balance, dizziness, light sensitivity and/or double vision. Luckily, vision problems can be treated with specialized tools and vision therapy to help retrain eye muscles and nerves to rebuild connections.
Vision problems are not always obvious to the outside observer, especially after a brain injury, thus it is important to be evaluated for a neuro-visual assessment after sustaining any type of head injury. If you or someone you know has had a concussion or head trauma and struggles with symptoms of double vision, blurred vision, headaches or feeling visually overwhelmed please schedule an appointment to be evaluated by either Dr. Ann Voss or Dr. Marcia Moore at the NeuroSensory Center of Bellaire