Reading a recent journal article by Dr. Neera Kapoor of the New York University School of Medicine, we were struck by her description of the explosion of research into the treatment of the visual symptoms following concussions by developmental optometrists using vision therapy and rehabilitation. There have been so many studies demonstrating the effectiveness of these approaches and clinics like our’s in Vancouver and others across North America are making a big difference in the lives of concussion patients through vision therapy and vision rehabilitation. Here is a passage form Dr. Kapoor’s article:
Over the past decade, … an increased amount of clinical research demonstrating the efficacy of optometric intervention in the concussion/mTBI population has been and continues to be performed nationwide. Dissemination of optometric knowledge and skills in the literature has awakened an exponentially increasing awareness, interest, and demand from patients and health care providers for neuro-optometric intervention following concussion/mTBI. Further, given the potential for multiple functional deficits following concussion/mTBI, understanding how to collaborate within a larger, diverse team of neuro-rehabilitation professionals becomes important as optometry begins to participate more actively in the inter-professional management of concussion.
Dr. Kapoor cited only a small number of the dozens of studies that have been conducted. Here is a sampling for the research minded:
- Ciuffreda KJ, Rutner D, Kapoor N, et al. Vision therapy for oculomotor dysfunctions in acquired brain injury: a retrospective analysis. Optometry 2008; 79:18-22.
- Storey EP, Master SR, Lockyer JE, Podolak OE, Grady MF, and Master CL. Near point of convergence after concussion in children. Optometry and Vision Science 2017; 94 (1): 96-100.
- Gallaway M, Scheiman M, and Mitchell GL. Vision therapy for post-concussion vision disorders. Optometry and Vision Science 2017; 94 (1): 68-73.
- Cohen AH. Vision rehabilitation for visual-vestibular dysfunction: The role of the neuro-optometrist. NeuroRehabilitation 2013; 32: 483–492.
- Thiagarajan P, Ciuffreda KJ, CapoAponte JE, Ludlam DP, Kapoor N. Oculomotor neurorehabilitation for reading in mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI): An integrative approach. NeuroRehabilitation 2014; 34:129-146.
- Thiagarajan P, Ciuffreda KJ. Effect of oculomotor rehabilitation on accommodative responsivity in mild traumatic brain injury. J Rehabil Res Dev 2014; 51(2):175- 192.
- Thiagarajan P, Ciuffreda KJ. Effect of oculomotor rehabilitation on vergence responsivity in mild traumatic brain injury. J Rehabil Res Dev 2013; 50(9):1223-1240.
- .Thiagarajan P, Ciuffreda KJ. Versional eye tracking in mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI): effects of oculomotor training (OMT). Brain Injury 2014; 28(7): 930–943.
- Scheiman MM, Talasan H, Mitchell GL, Alvarez TL. Objective assessment of vergence after treatment of concussion-related CI: a pilot study. Optometry and Vision Science 2017; 94(1): 74-88.
- Ciuffreda KJ, Ludlam DP, Thiagarajan P, et al. Proposed objective visual system biomarkers for m