You’ve recovered from the headache, the dizziness, and the mental fog, but your vision? That still feels off. Concussions can seriously disrupt your vision. In fact, more than half of the people who experience a concussion report lingering visual symptoms, from blurry vision and light sensitivity to trouble reading or focusing.
At Blacksburg Eye Associates, we specialize in diagnosing and treating post-concussion vision problems using advanced neuro-optometric care, right here in the heart of Blacksburg, Virginia.
How Concussions Affect the Visual System
Your eyes may be the lens, but your brain is the processor. Visual information travels from your retina through your optic nerve and is interpreted by multiple areas of the brain, including regions responsible for movement, balance, and coordination. When a concussion or mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) occurs, that brain-eye connection can get disrupted.
Even a “mild” concussion can throw off the finely tuned systems that control eye alignment, focus, tracking, and depth perception. This disconnect can lead to frustrating and often overlooked symptoms that interfere with work, school, and everyday life.
Vision Symptoms After a Concussion
The visual system is complex, and so are the symptoms that follow a concussion. Some people notice issues right away, while others develop symptoms days or weeks later. Here are some of the most common post-concussion vision problems:
Blurry or Double Vision
Struggling to focus on objects near or far? Double vision, especially when reading or using a screen, is a hallmark of binocular vision dysfunction.
Light Sensitivity
Bright lights, screens, or fluorescent lighting may feel overwhelming or even painful, making it hard to function in everyday environments.
Trouble with Reading and Focus
If words seem to jump around on the page or your eyes lose their place while reading, you may be experiencing oculomotor dysfunction—a disruption in the eyes’ ability to track smoothly.
Motion Sensitivity or Dizziness
Feeling off-balance in crowds or while scrolling on a phone may be a sign of visual motion sensitivity, a condition that is common after head injuries.
Headaches Triggered by Visual Tasks
Even basic activities like driving, using a computer, or grocery shopping can cause visual strain, which can lead to lingering headaches or fatigue.
Why These Symptoms Don’t Always Show Up Immediately
One of the most frustrating aspects of post-concussion vision problems is that they can be easily missed, even during a standard eye exam. Your visual acuity (i.e., how clearly you can see letters on a chart) may be 20/20, but that doesn’t mean your visual system is functioning properly.
In fact, many patients go weeks or even months without realizing their lingering symptoms are vision-related. That’s because the root cause isn’t always in the eyes themselves, but in how the brain processes visual information. This is where a neuro-optometric evaluation becomes essential.
How Vision Rehabilitation Helps
At Blacksburg Eye Associates, our eye doctors take a neuro-optometric approach to evaluating and treating vision problems after a concussion. Our specialized exams go far beyond the standard eye chart. We assess how your eyes move, how they work together, and how your brain processes visual input.
Treatment plans are tailored to each patient and may include:
- Prism lenses to support binocular vision and reduce double vision.
- Oculomotor retraining to improve eye tracking and focus.
- Vision therapy exercises designed to rebuild the brain-eye connection.
- Light sensitivity filters to reduce discomfort and fatigue.
With consistent, guided care, many patients see dramatic improvements in their visual comfort, clarity, and confidence.
Post-Concussion Vision Therapy in Blacksburg, VA
Blacksburg Eye Associates is proud to serve the New River Valley as one of the few optometry practices offering dedicated post-concussion vision therapy. Whether you're a student athlete recovering from a sports injury, a professional struggling after a car accident, or a parent noticing visual changes in your child, we’re here to help you heal.
Our team understands how life-disrupting post-concussion vision symptoms can be, and how validating it is to finally have answers. We provide comprehensive neuro-optometric evaluations and create personalized rehabilitation programs that support long-term recovery and function.
Let’s Help You See Clearly Again
If your vision hasn’t felt right since your concussion, you’re not imagining it, and you’re not alone. At Blacksburg Eye Associates, we specialize in uncovering the hidden visual effects of head injuries and guiding patients back to clarity.
Located in the heart of Blacksburg, our office is equipped with the tools, training, and compassion to support your recovery journey. Schedule a neuro-optometric evaluation and let us help you get back to seeing and living your best.