The visual system is very commonly affected by mild traumatic brain injury aka concussion. People experience problems with visual tracking, spotting and reading things closer or farther away. Often people report blurred vision or feeling like their eyes are jumping around and photosensitivity (sensitivity to light, especially fluorescent overhead).
Vision Problems Can Cause Headaches
Headaches that are in the front of the head, especially around the area of the eyes and forehead, can be caused by vision problems.
Headaches caused by vision problems tend to worsen over the course of the day and are not usually present on waking.
When vision is the cause of headaches, the headache will worsen with a lot of visual activity -
Reading
Computer use
Moving around
Visual movement
Taking notes from the board
Light induced
Photophobia: Sensitivity to Light
Worst with fluorescent lighting, CFL, LED, computer and smart board screens.
Flourescent lighting is especially problematic since it is known to trigger or worsen migraines.
Here are some ways to address photophobia:
Avoid triggers
Sitting closer to natural light sources
Modify light settings on screens including smart boards
Sunglasses
Tints
Convergence Insufficiency
Can cause double vision when reading, blurred vision when reading or when using screens.
People feel eye strain after reading for prolonged periods of time.
More likely to feel pain in the front of the head versus the back of the head.
These issues and other oculomotor problems are treatable! Make sure that no one suffers unnecessarily - awareness is everything! BCTC and other specialty clinics are here to help.
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