


What, Who, Why
Physical therapy can help with some visual dysfunctions associated with vestibular issues or concussions.
Vision therapy looks at your eyes ability to move in multiple directions, together and independently doing movements such as tracking, saccades, convergence, divergence, dynamic visual acuity and your ability to use your vestibular ocular reflex (VOR). Post-concussion and with all vestibular issues, Dr. Sara Ullenbruch will assess all these due to your visual system playing a rolling the way you take in information from the world around you.
Tracking
Your eyes ability to move together following a target without your head moving – is it smooth, are you able to achieve all parts of the visual field. These movements are similar to reading a book, scanning a room, tolerating computer work, etc.
Saccades
Your eyes ability to quickly jump from one object to the next. These movements are watching traffic go by or looking at trees while driving in the car.
Convergence/Divergence
Your eyes ability to move together and move part smoothly to focus on one target. This is used when something is getting closer to your face or moving away from your face.
Vestibular Ocular Reflex
Your eyes ability to maintain a stable image while your head is moving. If your stare at a word and turn your head from right to left or up and down and your are able to maintain your eyes on that target your reflex is intact!
Dynamic Visual Acuity
Your eyes ability to focus on a target while your head is moving although the difference is you need to be able to see clearly. This test will use an eye chart and you are trying to see if you can read similar lines while your head is still and while your head is moving. This is associated being able to read signs while walking/driving.
How to improve or make it better
If you are concerned that your visual system is involved: difficulty focusing, headaches with reading, motion sensitivity you can be evaluated by a physical therapist to see if we can help or if we need to referred to a specialist for glasses, different lenses upon many other modifications that can be done to glasses or external support.
Contact Functional Performance Center to see if improving your eye movement in conjunction with functional tasks will improve your ability to tolerate daily tasks.