Concussions can be confusing and overwhelming, especially when they bring along unexpected challenges. One such challenge is oculomotor impairment—a problem with how your eyes move and work together. In this blog post, we’ll break down what oculomotor impairments are, how they contribute to post-concussion headaches, and why having a team of experts, including a neuro-optometrist, is essential for your recovery.
What Is a Concussion?
A concussion is a type of brain injury that happens when your head experiences a sudden impact or a strong jolt. This injury can lead to a variety of symptoms like dizziness, confusion, and headaches. Even though concussions are often labeled as “mild,” their effects can be far-reaching, affecting many parts of your daily life.
Oculomotor Impairments: When Your Eyes Don’t Work as They Should
What Are Oculomotor Impairments?
“Oculomotor” refers to the muscles and nerves that control your eye movements. After a concussion, these can become impaired, meaning your eyes might not move together properly or focus the way they should. This miscommunication can lead to issues like:
- Double Vision: Seeing two images of one object.
- Difficulty Tracking Moving Objects: Struggling to follow a ball in a game or reading text on a moving screen.
- Eye Fatigue: Feeling tired or strained after using your eyes for just a short time.
- Headaches: Headaches triggered after visual activities like reading or watching TV.
Why Do They Happen?
After a concussion, the brain’s ability to control the fine movements of your eyes may be disrupted. This disruption can make everyday tasks—like reading, driving, or even walking—more difficult and can increase the strain on your brain.
How Oculomotor Impairments Contribute to Headaches
When your eyes work hard to focus and align properly, they send extra signals to the brain. If these signals are off due to oculomotor impairments, your brain may become overworked, leading to tension and eventually headaches. Here’s how:
- Increased Visual Effort: Struggling to keep your eyes aligned takes extra effort, which can tire out your muscles.
- Sensory Overload: When your brain receives conflicting visual information, it can get overwhelmed and trigger a headache.
- Stress Response: The frustration of not being able to see clearly can also contribute to stress, further increasing the likelihood of headaches.
The Importance of a Multidisciplinary Approach
Recovering from a concussion isn’t a one-person job. Because concussions can affect different areas—like vision, balance, and cognitive function—it’s important to have a team of specialists working together. This team might include:
- Brain Injury Specialist (MD): To assess and monitor brain function.
- Physical Therapists: To help restore balance, coordination, and treat neck impairments.
- Occupational Therapists: To assist with everyday activities.
- Neuro-Optometrists: To evaluate and treat the visual system.
Why Include a Neuro-Optometrist?
A neuro-optometrist specializes in the visual system as it relates to the brain. They are experts at diagnosing and treating oculomotor impairments. By working with a neuro-optometrist, you can get targeted therapies and exercises designed to improve eye coordination and reduce visual strain. This specialized care can make a big difference in alleviating headaches and speeding up your overall recovery.
Final Thoughts
If you or someone you love is recovering from a concussion, keep an eye out for signs of oculomotor impairments. These issues are not just about blurry vision—they can contribute significantly to persistent headaches and overall discomfort. A multidisciplinary approach that includes a neuro-optometrist can offer a comprehensive plan for recovery, addressing both the brain and the eyes to help you get back to feeling like yourself again.
Remember, every concussion is unique. If you’re experiencing any unusual symptoms after a head injury, it’s important to seek help from healthcare professionals who can guide you through the recovery process. Stay informed, stay patient, and know that help is available from a team that cares about your complete well-being.
By understanding how your eyes and brain work together, you can better appreciate the importance of specialized care in concussion recovery. Take charge of your health by advocating for a team-based approach—your eyes (and your head) will thank you!
The Headache Therapist 
So so interesting- thank you!
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