Post Traumatic Vision Syndrome

Introduction[edit | edit source]

Post traumatic vision Syndrome occur after a traumatic brain injury(TBI), Cerebrovascular insult or a neurovascular incident( Cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis, assessment and management of concussion, whiplash)[1]. Trauma influence vision depending on parts of brain and external eye structures involved. Muscle imbalances in extra ocular eye muscles affect visual function as it depends on both motor and sensory components of vision. Sensory component of vision is dependent on proper motor function. Extraocular muscles align our eyes allowing to use both eyes together to perceive and process information[2]. Affected visual processing mechanisms cause altered ability to comprehend and process visual and sensory feedback causing dysfunction in vision. Following a neurological insult various symptoms related to vision like headaches, diplopia, vertigo, asthenopia, photophobia, inability to focus and tracking objects can be noticed[3][2].

Clinical Signs and Symptoms[edit | edit source]

Binocular vision and accommodative disturbances in vision are common after mild Traumatic brain injuries. Oculomotor deficits in accommodative and binocular vision dysfunctions may occur from damage to the cranial nerves( Oculomotor, trochlear and abducens nerve). Exotropia and Exophoria are common after a neurological event. There are also difficulty in convergence and difficulty in accommodation and increased myopia (Blurred near vision). Patient also suffer from oculomotor dysfunction leading to vision problems. Patient report to have symptoms like double vision(Diplopia)Dizziness, Nausea, eye Strain (asthenopia), Sensitivity to light(Photo phobia) and perceived movement of print or stationary Objects.

In addition to visual motor function there could be balance and posture can be affected as there can be mid line shift. In Case of Homonymous hemianopsia(Loss of Vision on one side) there is a mid line shift affecting Balance and posture leading to instability and frequent falls. Due to mismatch between Visual processes and sensorimotor information there is spatial disruption affecting binocular vision and patient reporting vertigo, dizziness, and balance problems[4][1].

Symptoms generally are better in morning. Symptoms get worse with activity and in busy high visual sensory environment. Sleep disturbances are also noticed in Post traumatic vision syndrome[5] .

Tests for Diagnosis[edit | edit source]

  • Cranial nerve testing – motor weakness in Cranial nerve 3, 4, or 6 may be contributing to diplopia, or vertical imbalances[6]. Most commonly patients with post-traumatic vision syndrome experience difficulties with eye tracking, eye teaming/convergence, and eye focusing problems, which may be noticed using the following tests:
  • Nuclear eye movements (Ductions)- Ductions compromise of each eye separately with one eye covered. limited eye movement or Ductions informs us about neurological involvement of eye. there are six movements of eye.Abduction refers to the outward movement of an eye. Adduction refers to the inward movement of an eye. Supraduction / sursumduction / elevation. Infraduction / deosumduction / depression. Incycloduction /intorsion. Excycloduction / extorsion[7].
  • Supranuclear eye movements –Supranuclear eye movement involves versions, pursuits, saccades, convergence and vestibulo-occular reflex. Supranuclear eye movements inform us about upper or lower motor neuron lesion caused by trauma.
  • Visual field testing – can give information on any type of vision loss if any the patient is experiencing. If visual field is affected it can indicate towards condition affecting visual pathways from optical nerve to occipital lobe, tumours, Injury, Poor circulation in brain.
  • Vision Test– using letters and shapes can help indicate possible neglect or field of vision loss thus indicating neurological condition. visual acuity test generally utilizes reading from a standardized chart (Snellen chart) or a card held 20 feet (6 meters) away thus indicating vision changes.
  • Visual neglect testing – often present with Post traumatic vision syndrome with traumatic brain injury. Patient demonstrate neglect of one side of body[8].
  • Aneisokonia testing – Testing show discrepancies in object size between eyes when you are looking at same object in same direction.
  • Hirschberg test & Cover Test- Test for ocular alignment where we try to use a light source in midline from 2 feet to reflect on patient eyes while instructing them to focus on light source. Reflection of light should appear as a pin point while light near the center of pupil in each eye.

Management[edit | edit source]

  • Management strategies involve remediation of dysfunctions that were discovered during the assessment.Early treatment in post traumatic vision syndrome is advised to avoid compensatory changes.
  • If vision changes are noticed referral to an optometrist is advised. Investigation to find out if prism lenses with or with out occlusion are indicated should be done to start rehabilitation early.Optical devices like lenses and prisms can be used to help improve spatial orientation, posture and balance, and address issues regarding convergence, focus and binocular dysfunction. Presence of Symptoms (Double vision, Headaches, Blurry vision, Dizziness or nausea, Difficulty in concentration, Inability to find beginning of next line when reading, comprehension problem when reading, Going away from objects when brought close to him, Visual memory problems) of post traumatic vision syndrome warrants referral to specialist[9].
  • Vision exercises with optical devices help in effective management of the symptoms[10][11]. Different diagnostic methods like testing of saccades, convergence and Vestibulo-ocuar reflex can also be used for training vision. If Oculomotor dysfunctions are present oculomotor training through vision exercises has been shown to be beneficial. Computer based programs and video games have been shown to be beneficial in vision rehabilitation[12].

Resources[edit | edit source]

  1. Neuro-Optometric Rehabilitation Association.

References[edit | edit source]

  1. 1.0 1.1 Padula W V., Capo-Aponte JE, Padula W V., Singman EL, Jenness J. The consequence of spatial visual processing dysfunction caused by traumatic brain injury (TBI). Brain Inj [Internet]. 2017;31(5):589–600. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1080/02699052.2017.1291991
  2. 2.0 2.1 ·  Wenberg S, Thomas JA. Post traumatic vision syndrome and the locomotor system: Part 2: Screening and collaborative care. J Bodyw Mov Ther. 2001;5(1):2–10.
  3. Merezhinskaya N, Mallia RK, Park DH, Bryden DW, Mathur K, Barker FM. Visual Deficits and Dysfunctions Associated with Traumatic Brain Injury: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. Optom Vis Sci. 2019;96(8):542–55.
  4. Merezhinskaya N, Mallia RK, Park DH, Bryden DW, Mathur K, Barker FM. Visual Deficits and Dysfunctions Associated with Traumatic Brain Injury: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. Optom Vis Sci. 2019;96(8):542–55.
  5. Chen PY, Tsai PS, Chen NH, Chaung LP, Lee CC, Chen CC, et al. Trajectories of Sleep and Its Predictors in the First Year Following Traumatic Brain Injury. J Head Trauma Rehabil. 2015;30(4):E50–5.
  6. Oliaro S, Anderson S, Hooker D. Management of Cerebral Concussion in Sports: The Athletic Trainer’s Perspective. J Athl Train. 2001;36(3):257–62.
  7. E book. CNO-Group eTextbook of Eye Movements. Accessed from Internet on 21 Nov 2021 https://www.neuroophthalmology.ca/textbook/the-clinical-examination/ii-eye-movements
  8. Hillis AE. Neurobiology of unilateral spatial neglect. Neuroscientist. 2006 Apr;12(2):153-63. doi: 10.1177/1073858405284257. PMID: 16514012.
  9. Accessed from Neuro-Optometric Rehabilitation Association website on 25 Nov 2021. https://noravisionrehab.org/uploads/media/NORA_VMSS_PDF_9-16-18_FINAL.pdf
  10. Hudac C, Kota, Nedrow, Molfese D. Neural mechanisms underlying neurooptometric rehabilitation following traumatic brain injury. Eye Brain. 2012;1.
  11. Polinder S, Cnossen MC, Real RGL, Covic A, Gorbunova A, Voormolen DC, et al. A Multidimensional Approach to Post-concussion Symptoms in Mild Traumatic Brain Injury. Front Neurol. 2018;9(December):1–14.
  12. Simpson-Jones ME, Hunt AW. Vision rehabilitation interventions following mild traumatic brain injury: a scoping review. Disabil Rehabil [Internet]. 2019;41(18):2206–22. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1080/09638288.2018.1460407