With winter sports back on the menu and the ski fields opening, we thought it timely to look at the effects concussion can have on your eyes.

Concussion is a brain injury caused by movement of the brain within the skull either by a direct blow to the head, or elsewhere on the body with an ‘impulsive’ force transmitted to the head (whiplash effect). The movement of the brain causes damage that changes how brain cells function, leading to symptoms that can be physical, cognitive or emotional. 

The eyes are the tip of the iceberg when it comes to vision. They are the receivers, but the brain is the processor and the most important part of the visual process.

The rate of concussion in New Zealand is increasing every year. 

Common symptoms following a concussion are; Headache, Brain Fog, Inattention, Dizziness Nausea, Fatigue, Mood changes, Memory issues, Sleep Problems, and Light Sensitivity. 

Studies vary but anywhere from 50-90% of individuals have a visual dysfunction after concussion.

Even if you did not need glasses before getting concussion, your brain may now have trouble processing what you see and so a small prescription can help to make a difference to how you feel. 

Good vision is the foundation to how we see, it can impact on the function of other processes such as how your eyes move and focus and work together.

Most people who suffer a head injury do not show a reduction in their vision. An examination by an optometrist that focuses on more than just vision is important to put all the pieces of the puzzle together. The neural processing of vision is more than just letters on a chart. 

After a comprehensive eye exam, your optometrist can then treat your symptoms with; 

1. Spectacles - to provide clear comfortable single vision.
2. Tints - to help with light sensitivity and calming the visual stimulus. 
3. Vision Therapy - to help improve focusing, binocular vision, hand eye coordination and attention.



To book an eye exam or talk to the team about your child's sight contact Central Vision Optometry. Tel: 03 443 0736, email: [email protected] or call in and see them at The Lake Wanaka Health Centre.