3.3 - Concussion & Vision: The Silent Saboteur

Concussions don’t always cause black eyes—but they can leave your vision blurry, your balance off, and your brain overwhelmed.

Imagine trying to walk through a foggy room with a flashlight that flickers unpredictably. That’s how it feels when a concussion scrambles your visual system. Even when MRIs are clear and symptoms seem mild, concussion-related vision problems can cause major disruptions.

In this post, we explore how visual issues emerge after concussion—and how vision rehabilitation offers a clear path to recovery.

Why Concussions Impact Vision

Even “mild” TBIs can affect the pathways that control:

• Eye teaming and coordination

• Smooth pursuit and saccades

• Visual memory and focus

• Light sensitivity and motion tolerance

• Spatial perception and balance

Research shows that 69% of people with a concussion report vision-related symptoms—yet fewer than 30% receive vision-focused care.

Common Post-Concussion Vision Symptoms

• Blurred or double vision

• Headaches triggered by screens or reading

• Eye strain or fatigue

• Difficulty with reading, attention, or comprehension

• Sensitivity to light or movement

• Trouble focusing from near to far

• Dizziness or disorientation in crowded places

How Vision Rehabilitation Helps

• Neuro-vision assessment to pinpoint the visual deficits

• Therapeutic lenses or prism glasses to reduce strain and realign vision

• Vision therapy to rebuild visual coordination, tracking, and processing

• Light sensitivity strategies including tinted lenses, screen filters, and gradual exposure

• Balance and vestibular integration for dizziness and spatial instability

Quote to Remember

Final Thoughts

Concussion symptoms can linger for months—or years—when vision is ignored. But with the right evaluation and therapy, the fog can lift, and normal life returns. Vision rehabilitation isn’t just about the eyes—it’s about the brain coming back online.