MANALAPAN, N.J—The Neuro-Optometric Rehabilitation Association (NORA) and Concussion Legacy Foundation (CLF), have developed a new educational resource titled Common Vision Problems & Symptoms Following a Concussion. According to a release from NORA, the resource will be available on NORA’s Patient Caregivers Resource page and CLF’s Post-Concussion Syndrome (PCS) Resources page. “Some concussion symptoms may only last a short period of time, while others can linger for months or even years, becoming Post-Concussion Syndrome and adversely affecting the way a person functions in their activities of daily living,” said co-founder and medical director of CLF, Robert Cantu, MD.

“If you notice any changes in your vision following a concussion, especially blurred or double vision, don’t ignore them. Early diagnosis leads to appropriate treatment and/or referral to a specialist.”

Charles Shidlofsky, OD, FCOVD, is a Neuro Optometric Rehabilitation Optometrist in Plano, Texas. He said, “Following a concussion, a regular eye exam often doesn’t reveal the extent that the visual process is affected from a concussive injury. While an individual’s eyes may appear to be healthy and they are seeing clearly, they may be experiencing Post Trauma Vision Syndrome (PTVS), a condition where more extensive visual processes in the brain may be affected. PTVS can affect a person’s ability to read, comprehend, and sustain attention. It can also cause dizziness/vertigo and headaches/migraines as well as cause difficulties with tracking moving objects and making stationary objects appear to move.”

According to Dr. Cantu, one type of rehabilitation is often not enough to address all of a patient’s needs after a concussion. He said, “An interdisciplinary, integrated team approach can play a vital role in rehabilitation of concussion patients.” According to NORA rehabilitation team members may include neurologists, physical and occupational therapists, speech-language pathologists, neuropsychologists, audiologists and others.