Neuro-Optometric Rehabilitation Programs
- To determine how a person’s visual system has been affected by an injury or disease process we book them for a neuro-optometric examination
- This is a specialized set of visits done over 1-3 days (depending on ability to tolerate testing)
- Testing includes but is not limited to:
- In-depth history of problem/symptoms
- Refraction: testing of eyes focus
- Stereoacuity (ability to see 3D)
- Saccades and Pursuits: eye movements, these are tested grossly as well as using standardized tests
- Eye movements required by reading- compared to age appropriate normative data
- Eye alignment: presence of a high phoria and/or strabismus
- Ability to converge and diverge the eyes: look inwards and look outwards
- Ability to change focus/accommodate
- Presence of a visual midline shift
- Chiroscopic tracing: demonstrates how a person sees space
- Vestibular Ocular Reflex testing
- Visual Motion Sensitivity testing
- Visual Field Testing
- Visual Neglect Testing
- Visual Perception Testing
- A treatment plan is then provided at the conclusion of the visit, this may include:
- Referral to other health care providers
- Specialized glasses (may contain prism, filters and/or colour filters)
- Lifestyle modifications
- Personalized Neuro-Optometric Rehabilitation Program
Post- Concussion Patients:
- Studies show that up to 90% suffer an associated visual dysfunction:
- Blurry vision
- Photophobia (light sensitivity)
- Visual field loss > For further information click here
- Headaches associated with visual tasks
- Ocular motor dysfunction (problems moving the eyes and tracing)
- Convergence Insufficiency (difficulties crossing the eyes)
- Diplopia (double vision)
- Reading difficulties
- Accommodation Dysfunctions (difficulties focusing)
- Visual Midline Shift
- Post Concussion/trauma Vision Syndrome
- Visual Motion sensitivity (troubles when moving or seeing objects/space that moves)
- Reduced Vestibular Ocular Reflex gain
- Many patients who have had a trauma can get a condition called Post Trauma Vision Syndrome
- Symptoms include:
- Double vision
- Headaches
- Dizziness/nausea
- Difficulties concentrating
- Reduced blink rate-/dry eye
- Spatial disorientation
- Losing their place when reading
- Appearance of stationary objects moving when they aren’t
- Recoil from objects moving towards them
- Visual memory difficulties
- Post-Trauma Vision Syndrome is a dysfunction of the ambient visual process. The visual process is made up of two parts Focal and Ambient. The Focal process provides information about “what” an object is in the visual field. It is generally associated with the function of the macula which is the part of the eye that allows humans to see small details. The Ambient process provides information about “where” a person is in space. Information from the ambient process is required for balance and movement. These systems need to operate in balance, when there is a dysfunction in the Ambient Visual System, Post-Trauma Vision Syndrome occurs. > For further info click here
- Symptoms include:
- Treatment involves specialized glasses and neuro-optometric rehabilitation exercises to rehabilitate the ambient visual process.
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- Patients who have had a concussion can also get visual midline shift syndrome. This is a deficiency in either the ambient visual system and/or the motor system. Patients perceive space as being shifted. It can be shifted either right/left or anterior/posterior. This causes difficulties with balance. > For further information click here
- Treatment involves specialized glasses and neuro-optometric rehabilitation exercises to rehabilitate the ambient visual system and the motor system.
- Patients who have had a concussion can also get visual midline shift syndrome. This is a deficiency in either the ambient visual system and/or the motor system. Patients perceive space as being shifted. It can be shifted either right/left or anterior/posterior. This causes difficulties with balance. > For further information click here
Neuro-optometric Rehabilitation is not covered by OHIP. Some private insurances may cover some of the care. For MVA patients, we do bill through HCAI and are FSCO licensed. We also work with WSIB patients.