Dr. Shao, I really appreciate that you help my son with his heterophoria problem, You are a good doctor, I really thank you.
We’re just in the middle of the seesion. and my son is telling me that he think his eyes is improving, and that he feels his eyes are better before session.
Thank you very much Dr. Shao.
Concussion Management – Post Concussion Vision Syndrome
Are you or someone you know suffering from the after-effects of head trauma? In the US, over 4 million head injuries are reported each year due to sports, recreation, work related injuries, and auto accidents. Many of these result in a concussion, which is a mild form of traumatic brain injury which does not result in loss of consciousness. A concussion results from the brain hitting the inside of the skull, causing generalized bruising internally. This trauma causes disruptions in the pathways that connect the various senses to the sense of vision. When these pathways are disrupted, the brain is no longer able to integrate the senses together in a way that makes sense, so a collection of visual problems arise as a direct result of it. This is a collection of symptoms called Post Concussion Vision Syndrome. Some of the common symptoms include:
-Extreme light sensitivity
-Nausea
-Dizziness
-Blurred vision
-Tunneling of vision
-Intermittent double vision
-Eye pain and headaches
-Poor concentration
-Trouble focusing
-Constant fatigue
-Difficulty sleeping
-Trouble with balance
Unfortunately, there is a lack of awareness among the general public and even health professionals about Post Concussion Vision Syndrome. Patients with Post Concussion Vision Syndrome often are frustrated that those managing their head trauma are unaware of the cause of their discomfort. We believe that it is important to educate the public about the existence of this problem so that concussion patients can receive the help they need. Most of these symptoms can be effectively treated so that the patient is able to return back to ordinary life.
Treatment for Post Concussion Vision Syndrome
The treatment process for those suffering from Post Concussion Vision Syndrome (PCVS) begins with a 3 part exam. The first part is measuring the severity of discomfort resulting from eye movements in different directions called the Vestibular/Ocular Motor Screening (VOMS). Part two is a binocular vision exam to measure one’s ability to use the two eyes together as a team. Part three is a functional visual field test to determine the degree with which the concussion has caused a drop in peripheral awareness.
Individuals with PCVS often have digestive issues such as indigestion and bloating as well as an inability to sleep well despite extreme fatigue. These symptoms are due to the body being in a strong “fight or flight” response following the concussion because the brain sends out chemical signals to the rest of the body indicating that it is damaged. We must take steps to bring the body back to balance in order that it may rest and heal. Bringing the body back into proper balance away from a “fight or flight” mode will typically reduce the sensations of light sensitivity, fatigue, headaches, and eye pain. Without reducing these symptoms, traditional vision training techniques would typically trigger more discomfort. It would be akin to trying to lift weights while the muscles are sore or injured. This can be done either through Optometric Multi-Sensory Training or through syntonic phototherapy, which is a type of passive light therapy that induces the nervous system to calm down. OMST however, accelerates the healing process by tackling the abnormalities in multiple sensory systems at once.