Vision and Concussions: How We Help You Recover Your Visual Function
Vision and concussions are more closely linked than most people realise. A concussion, also called a mild Traumatic Brain Injury (mTBI), is a disruption to normal brain function caused by a bump, blow, or jolt to the head or body.
Because over half of the brain’s neural circuits are involved in vision and eye movement control, the visual system is almost always caught in the crossfire when an injury occurs. Visual symptoms are very common after concussion, with studies suggesting that a significant proportion of people experience issues such as blurred vision, light sensitivity or difficulty focusing following a mild traumatic brain injury.
In this guide, we will explore the following key areas of recovery:
- Common symptoms include blurry vision, light sensitivity, double vision, and the role of Binocular Vision Dysfunction (BVD).
- Why standard tests fail: understanding why 20/20 vision does not mean your visual system is functioning correctly.
- The link between vision and balance: why dizziness and spatial disorientation are often visual in nature.
- Effective treatment options from specialised prism spectacles to vision therapy, including optometric vision therapy.
- Workplace recovery: how to manage screen time and lighting as you return to your professional life.
At The Focal Point Optometrist, we take a thorough, healthcare-first approach to your recovery. We are a family-oriented practice in Wembley, and we believe that complex visual problems deserve real time and attention.
By reading this guide, you will gain a clearer understanding of why you are experiencing persistent headaches or dizziness after a head injury. More importantly, you will learn that these symptoms are not something you simply have to “live with.”
With the right vision therapy or optometric vision therapy, we can help you retrain your visual system and get you back to your normal daily activities with confidence and clarity.
Understanding How a Concussion Affects Your Visual System
A concussion is a mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) that affects brain function rather than structure, which is why CT and MRI scans often appear normal.
When a concussion occurs, the brain can move rapidly inside the skull, disrupting the neural pathways responsible for vision and eye movement. This affects how the eyes and brain communicate.
The visual system relies on multiple areas of the brain, including the occipital, parietal, and frontal lobes, as well as the brainstem. When these connections are affected, visual processing becomes less efficient. As a result, everyday tasks such as reading, using a computer, and shifting focus between distances may feel more difficult or tiring.
The Role of the Brainstem in Visual Stability
The brainstem helps coordinate visual and balance (vestibular) information, supporting how the eyes work together during everyday tasks. After a concussion, this system can sometimes become less efficient, particularly when focusing on close-up work.
A key part of this process is the “near triad”, which includes:
- Accommodation – adjusting focus for near objects
- Convergence – turning the eyes inward to view close objects
- Pupil response – regulating light entering the eye
These functions normally work together automatically. Following a concussion, they may take more effort to coordinate, which can contribute to symptoms during reading or screen use.
At The Focal Point Optometrist, we assess these visual functions to better understand how the visual system is performing and to guide appropriate management where needed.
Common Vision and Concussion Symptoms to Watch For
If you’ve sustained a concussion, symptoms may not appear straight away. Some show up immediately, while others develop days or even weeks later as you return to normal activities.
Many people find they cope fine in a quiet, dim environment, but symptoms worsen in busy, bright settings such as offices, shops, or while driving. This often indicates that the visual system is struggling to manage visual information efficiently.
Common symptoms include:
- Blurry vision: Difficulty changing focus between near and far objects, often linked to accommodative dysfunction.
- Light sensitivity (photophobia): Bright environments, especially fluorescent lighting, may feel uncomfortable or overwhelming.
- Double vision (diplopia): Eyes may not work together properly, leading to ghosting or overlapping text.
- Headaches and eye strain: Often triggered by reading, screen use, or other near work, sometimes accompanied by eye fatigue or rubbing.
The Link Between Vision, Dizziness, and Balance
Have you ever felt dizzy in a busy supermarket or uneasy watching fast-moving scenes on a screen? That’s often where vision and balance overlap.
Your balance is controlled by three systems working together: your inner ear (vestibular system), your body’s awareness of movement (proprioception), and your vision. After a concussion, these systems can stop communicating properly.
This disconnect can lead to:
- Feeling unsteady or “off balance”
- A sensation that the floor is tilting or uneven
- Motion sickness in traffic or when scrolling on screens (Visual Motion Sensitivity)
At times, dizziness is actually linked to how the eyes are working together, rather than the inner ear alone. Through binocular vision testing, we can check whether eye coordination is contributing to balance issues.
When the eyes are not providing a stable visual reference, the brain has less reliable information to support balance. This can make everyday movement feel more difficult and increase the risk of bumping into objects.
Identifying Oculomotor Dysfunction and Eye Tracking Issues
Oculomotor function refers to how your eyes move, track, and shift focus between objects. After a concussion, these movements can become less accurate or more tiring.
You might notice:
- Losing your place while reading
- Skipping or re-reading lines
- Words appearing to move or blur on the page
- Needing more effort to focus on written tasks
These issues can make reading, studying, or computer work feel unusually demanding.
Research, including guidance from the Australian Sports Commission, notes that eye tracking problems are a common reason people struggle to return to work or study after a concussion.
At The Focal Point Optometrist, we use specialised assessments to measure eye movements and identify where communication between the brain and the eyes may be breaking down.
Why Standard Eye Tests Often Miss Functional Vision Issues
One of the most frustrating experiences for a concussion patient is being told their eyes are fine after a standard Eye Test. You might have 20/20 (or 6/6 in metric) vision, meaning you can see the tiny letters on a chart from 6 metres (20 feet) away.
However, seeing clearly is only one of 17 essential visual skills required for daily life. A standard test is designed to find the right Script for spectacles, but it often misses how the eyes work together as a functional unit.
A standard Eye Test often misses:
- Eye Teaming: How well your eyes converge to look at something close, such as a computer screen.
- Focusing Stamina: Whether your eyes can maintain focus for more than a few minutes without fatigue.
- Visual Processing: How quickly and accurately your brain interprets the visual information it receives.
- Visual Spatial Awareness: Your ability to understand where objects are in relation to yourself.
In vision therapy or optometric vision therapy at The Focal Point Optometrist, we look at the function of the visual system. We check if your eyes are over-responding to peripheral movement or if they are struggling to lock on to a target.
A more comprehensive assessment that looks at how the eyes work together is often needed to identify post-concussion visual issues. We take the time to understand your specific challenges, which is why our assessments are so much more comprehensive than a retail-focused check.
Navigating Your Path to Recovery and Workplace Accommodations
The good news is that the brain is remarkably plastic, meaning it can relearn and rewire itself after an injury. Most concussion symptoms resolve within 2 to 4 weeks. However, if your visual symptoms persist beyond 6 weeks, they are unlikely to disappear on their own without targeted intervention.
For adults returning to professional environments in Perth or Wembley, we often recommend a structured return-to-work plan that prioritises visual health.
Effective workplace adjustments include:
- Screen Breaks: Implementing the 20-20-20 rule is vital. Every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet (6 metres) away for at least 20 seconds to allow your focusing muscles to relax.
- Font and Contrast Adjustments: Increasing font size and using high-contrast settings can significantly reduce the demand on your focusing system.
- Lighting Control: Reducing overhead fluorescent light or using a blue-light filter on screens can help manage light sensitivity. If you work in an office with harsh lighting, we may recommend specific tinted spectacles.
Effective Treatments for Vision and Concussion Recovery
We do not believe in a one-size-fits-all approach. Depending on your specific symptoms, we might use a combination of the following treatments:
- Vision Therapy: This is essentially physiotherapy for your eyes. It involves a series of programmed exercises designed to improve eye teaming, tracking, and focusing. Vision therapy involves structured exercises designed to improve eye coordination, tracking and focusing. It is commonly used to support recovery from functional vision problems following concussion.
- Prism Spectacles: These specialised lenses use a prism effect to shift where light hits the retina, helping the eyes align without the brain having to work so hard. They are particularly effective for reducing headaches, dizziness, and the symptoms of BVD.
- Tinted Lenses: Different lens tints may help reduce light sensitivity after a concussion. FL-41 is one commonly used option, but other customised tints may also be recommended depending on your specific symptoms and environment.
- Reading Scripts: If you are struggling with Accommodative Difficulties, a tailored Script can relieve the focusing load on your eyes, making computer work much more comfortable.
| Treatment | Best For… | How it Works |
|---|---|---|
| Vision Therapy | Tracking, Teaming, Stamina | Retrains the brain to control eye muscles |
| Prism Lenses | Double vision, Dizziness, BVD | Optically aligns the images for the brain |
| FL-41 Tints | Light sensitivity, Migraines | Filters out painful light frequencies |
| Reading Scripts | Blurry text, Eye strain | Relieves the focusing load on the eyes |
FAQs
How long do vision problems last after a concussion?
For many people, visual symptoms resolve within 10 to 14 days as the initial brain energy crisis settles. However, some people experience symptoms that persist beyond the initial recovery period. If you are still struggling after 6 weeks, it is a sign that your visual system has not self-corrected and requires a functional assessment. If you experience sudden vision loss or unequal pupil sizes immediately after an injury, you should seek Emergency Eye Care or visit a hospital immediately.
Can a concussion cause permanent vision damage?
It is rare for a concussion to cause permanent structural blindness. However, the functional damage, how the brain uses the eyes, can feel permanent if left untreated. The beauty of neuroplasticity is that we can often treat these issues months or even years after the original injury. It is never too late to seek help and improve your quality of life.
When should I see an optometrist after a head injury?
You should book an Eye Test if you notice blurry vision that does not clear up after a few days of rest, headaches triggered by reading or computer use, or a feeling of being overwhelmed in busy environments. If you find yourself closing one eye to focus or experiencing ghosting of text, an assessment is essential. We recommend a full hour consultation to ensure all aspects of your visual function are checked.
Will I need to wear spectacles forever after a concussion?
Not necessarily. For some, prism spectacles or a specific reading Script are temporary tools used to support the brain during recovery. For others, they may be needed long-term to manage a pre-existing misalignment that was made worse by the concussion. Our goal is always to provide the most effective solution for your specific needs, whether that is spectacles, vision therapy, or a combination of both.
Can vision therapy help if my injury was years ago?
Yes. Because vision therapy relies on neuroplasticity, the brain’s ability to form new neural connections, it can be effective long after the initial injury. Many adults find significant relief from chronic headaches and tracking issues even years after their concussion by undergoing structured vision therapy or optometric vision therapy.
Supporting Your Recovery from Concussion-Related Vision Changes
At The Focal Point Optometrist, we understand that a concussion can feel like it’s disrupted your normal way of seeing and functioning. We take a holistic, healthcare-focused approach to your eye care.
Depending on your needs, this may include specialised prism lenses, tailored vision therapy, or practical strategies to support your work and daily activities. The goal is to help your eyes and brain work together more efficiently, so visual tasks feel less demanding and more natural again.
Our focus is on long-term improvement, not just short-term relief, supporting you through each step of recovery with care that’s tailored to your symptoms and goals.
If you have a valid referral or are eligible for Medicare benefits, please bring your Medicare card to your appointment so we can process any applicable rebates for your visit.