“It is a fact that the brain and body reliably turn conscious effort into unconcscious action that allows us to move from learning to mastery”

“Long-term neuroplastic change occurs more readily when a person pays close attention while learning.” Dr. Norman Doidge, The Brain’s Way of Healing

The Ontario Neurotrauma Foundation supports evaluation and treatment ofpost-concussion vision disorders by an optometrist specializing inneuro-optometric rehabilitation. Optometric treatment strategies for PTVSinclude the following:

1. Specialized glasses which can include: coloured tints, partial lens occlusion, stress-relieving near-point prescriptions, and prism lenses, which can help improve spatial vision, visual comfort and visual stability.
2. A vision rehabilitation program to improve tolerance to visual stimuli, and to re-automatize visual functions that were once effortless but now requiring conscious effort and exhaustive energy to achieve post-injury. The program consists of activities designed in a hierarchal way and customized to the individual to improve visual skills and processing function. Results arebest achieved with regular in-clinic visits to reinforce and challenge skills, supported with daily 15-minute home sessions. Duration can vary depending on the case, but a program can take a minimum of 3 months to 12 months or longer. The best results are seen with patients who are motivated, dedicated, compliant, and persistent. Therapy requires active participation by the patient using the tools provided by the therapist.
3. Multi-disciplinary collaboration: Vision is closely connected to our sense of body position in space, auditory, and vestibular systems, as well as other aspects including sleep and nutrition. For this reason, concurrent treatment with other professionals such as sports medicine physicians, physiotherapists, chiropractors, speech-language pathologists, occupational therapists, psychologists, and naturopathic practitioners can enhance visual recovery. It takes a village!