Almost 2 million people suffer a concussion every year, according to the CDC. Of these, about 300,000 concussions can be attributed to car accidents.
Car accidents can potentially cause vision problems that range from mild to severe, which is why it’s so important to have not only a full physical exam but also a neuro-optometric evaluation following an accident.
At Eye Vision Associates in Nesconset, we offer neuro-optometric assessments to ensure that your eyesight and visual skills are functioning properly, whether you’ve been in a car accident or have suffered another type of head injury, such as from a fall, a stroke or a sports injury.
Vision Problems Caused by Car Accidents
Car accidents are the cause of roughly 17% of traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) each year. A concussion is a type of traumatic brain injury (TBI), which primarily results from the brain hitting the skull at high speed.
Concussions can result in vision problems like double vision, hazy vision, and difficulty focusing. These symptoms can occur soon after, weeks or even months after the event. Depending on the extent of the injury, symptoms can be debilitating and significantly impact a person’s quality of life.
Binocular vision disorder (BVD) often results from head injuries. It happens when the nerves and muscles in charge of eye movements are damaged, causing the eyes to not work well together as a team. Symptoms can include eye fatigue, headaches, and double vision.
Car accidents can also cause strabismus (crossed eyes) and lazy eye (amblyopia). This is because the impact of a car accident can physically damage the eyes and brain, causing the eyes to be misaligned or one eye to become weaker than the other.
Whiplash, a common injury in car accidents, can also affect the neck muscles and lead to the range of symptoms listed above.
Following a car accident, it’s important to seek medical attention. If you notice any change in your vision, schedule a comprehensive eye exam with a neuro-optometrist, who will assess the functioning of your visual system.
Neuro-Optometry As A Treatment for Vision Problems Caused by Car Accidents
Neuro-optometry is a specialized field that helps people with vision problems caused by neurological disorders and traumatic brain injuries (TBIs).
In the event of a car accident, a neuro-optometrist will perform a comprehensive eye exam to determine the seriousness of your visual problems. The exam typically involves assessing eye movements, visual acuity (sharpness of vision), visual field, and color vision. The neuro-optometrist will also assess your ability to process visual information and track objects.
If the neuro-optometrist detects a problem, they’ll create a tailored treatment plan to address the issues. Treatment usually involves visual rehabilitation exercises and prism lenses. These therapies are designed to retrain the brain to process visual information more effectively and to improve eye movements and coordination.
Vision Problems? Find an Eye Doctor in Nesconset
A functional eye exam from Eye Vision Associates in Nesconset can also help with identifying any vision problems caused by the accident.
Our practice serves patients from Nesconset, Ronkonkoma, Lake Grove, and Centereach & Hauppauge, New York and surrounding communities.