 | William L. Park, OD, FAAO is in private practice in Wichita, KS. He works exclusively with patients referred for low vision evaluation, low vision rehabilitation and neurological vision loss. He is a past Director of Low Vision Services, Lions Research & Rehabilitation Center, Wilmer Eye Institute-Johns Hopkins University. Dr. Park can be reached at William L. Park, OD, LLC, www.parklowvision.com, 610 N. Main, Suite 201, Wichita, KS 67203, (316) 440-1690 or drpark@parklowvision.com. |
Vision
2010-12-01 11:33:00
Brain injury and visual impairment
Question: My loved one suffered a brain injury in a car accident and is having difficulty seeing, speaking, walking and comprehending what he reads. What can I do to help?
Answer: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) yields similar results to vision as a stroke. There are approximately 8 million head injuries reported each year. Of those, 1.5 million are deemed serious. With TBI, a patient may experience symptoms such as loss of visual field, visual processing, vertigo, dizziness, impaired eye movements, double vision, eyestrain and difficulty reading, to name a few.
The injury can produce cognitive, sensory or physical impairments. Because there is a close relationship between vision and the brain, TBI can disrupt the visual process, interfering with the flow and processing of information. The result is a vision problem along with other issues such as partial paralysis, memory loss, speech problems and potential falls.
Expressive aphasia is one category of a larger family of disorders known collectively as aphasia, which is characterized by inability to produce language (spoken or written). This differs from dysarthria, which is a motor speech disorder characterized by a patient’s inability to properly move the muscles of the tongue and mouth to produce speech. Expressive aphasia contrasts with receptive aphasia, which is characterized by a patient’s inability to comprehend language or speak with appropriately meaningful words.
Hemianopia, the most notable loss of vision, occurs when patients lose vision in one side of their field of vision. Sometimes, patients are totally unaware of this shortfall, bumping into walls, ignoring food on one side of their plate or having difficulty reading.
Due to the major impact of the visual system on cognitive and motor function, the vision rehabilitation needs of a person affected by a traumatic brain injury must be addressed as early as possible. Immediate intervention following a TBI is paramount to recovery of visual function and general well-being. With proper care and rehabilitation, TBI patients have a chance to regain quality of life, return to work and perform daily activities that are necessary for independence.
The road to recovery should include a team of caring and skilled healthcare providers who specialize in TBI and low vision or neurological rehabilitation. Many deficits can be improved or resolved through diligent low vision rehabilitation or occupational therapy, speech and language therapy, physical therapy or orientation and mobility training.
In most circumstances, lenses and prisms may result in elimination of double vision. Prism lenses may also assist in compensation of visual field loss. A low vision specialist will also address magnification, contrast sensitivity, glare and management of the visual field loss.
Achieving and maintaining independence for persons following a brain injury can be challenging. Many activities of daily living, such as safe travel, eating, speaking and self-care, can seem difficult or impossible. These issues may be resolved with guidance from appropriate healthcare providers. If your family member or loved one is affected by a brain injury, you may be one of the most important people in their life. Share your knowledge of how low vision and neurological rehabilitation can help.
