Ever walk into a room and suddenly forget why you’re there, then realize you’ve been squinting at the lights or feeling dizzy for no reason? That kind of disconnect between the brain and eyes is common after a concussion, and it’s easy to overlook until the symptoms start interfering with daily life. The truth is, many people chalk up post-concussion symptoms to stress or fatigue, when what they’re experiencing is a breakdown in how the eyes and brain work together.
At Visual Symptoms Treatment Center, our neuro-optometric rehabilitation services in Arlington Heights are designed to reconnect that visual pathway. Our eye doctors don’t just look at your prescription—they dive deep into how your visual system is functioning after head trauma, using advanced tools and decades of experience to pinpoint and treat the issues others might miss.
Why Do Concussions Affect Vision?
Vision isn’t just about the eyes—it’s about how the brain interprets what the eyes see. A concussion disrupts that process. When the brain is jostled during a traumatic impact, it can damage the delicate pathways that coordinate vision, balance, and perception. Even if the eyes themselves remain healthy, the brain may struggle to process visual information, leading to a range of visual dysfunctions that aren't immediately obvious.
8 Post-Concussion Vision Symptoms You Shouldn't Ignore
Vision problems after a concussion don’t always show up right away, and when they do, they’re easy to dismiss as stress or tiredness. However, symptoms such as dizziness, blurry vision, or difficulty focusing often signal a deeper issue between the eyes and the brain. Here are some of the signs we frequently see at Visual Symptoms Treatment Center that tend to go unnoticed:
1. Difficulty Focusing
Struggling to shift your focus from near to far? Blurry or fluctuating vision could be a sign that your visual system is out of sync.
2. Double Vision
When the eyes don’t work together correctly, you may see overlapping images or experience eye strain without realizing the cause.
3. Depth Perception Issues
Trouble judging how far away objects are—like missing a step or knocking over a glass—may indicate impaired binocular vision.
4. Eye Tracking Problems
If you lose your place while reading or can’t smoothly follow a moving object, your eye movement control may be compromised.
5. Motion Sensitivity
Feeling dizzy or off-balance in crowds, grocery store aisles, or while scrolling on a phone could stem from visual motion processing issues.
6. Light Sensitivity
Bright lights, screens, or sunlight can suddenly become overwhelming, triggering headaches or eye pain.
7. Headaches & Fatigue
Ongoing post-concussion symptoms, including migraines, tired eyes, or difficulty reading for extended periods, may point to unresolved visual dysfunction.
8. Changes in the Visual Field
Some patients notice blind spots, peripheral blur, or difficulty detecting objects to the side—this may indicate a reduced or altered visual field, which can affect everything from reading to balance.
Get Post-Concussion Vision Treatments at Visual Symptoms Treatment Center
At Visual Symptoms Treatment Center, we don’t just screen for vision—we thoroughly test how your eyes and brain are working together. Our neuro-optometric evaluations go far beyond a typical eye exam, uncovering the root cause of symptoms that may have been dismissed or misunderstood. Every therapy plan we create is customized, drawing on years of experience to help our patients return to school, work, and life. Our post-concussion treatments include:
- Neuro-Optometric Rehabilitation: A personalized therapy program to rebuild brain-eye coordination and restore visual function.
- Vision Therapy Exercises: Structured, in-office and at-home activities designed to retrain your brain's processing of visual input.
- Prism Lenses: Glasses that change how light enters your eyes to reduce double vision and help with balance.
- Syntonic Phototherapy: Gentle light therapy that helps regulate your nervous system and visual processing.
- Custom Lens Prescriptions: Specialized lenses to support clearer, more comfortable vision after trauma.
Rebuild Visual Comfort After a Concussion—Right Here in Arlington Heights
If you've had a concussion and something still feels “off” with your vision, don’t ignore it—your symptoms may be more than just lingering brain fog. At Visual Symptoms Treatment Center, we understand the complexity of post-concussion vision problems and know how to treat them with care and precision.
Book your neuro-optometric evaluation—and take the first step toward clearer, more comfortable vision.