Traumatic Brain Injury News

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October 1st, 2004

"Traumatic brain injury can cause vision problems"

Every year, about 1.5 million Americans suffer a traumatic brain injury (TBI). A TBI is caused by impact of an outside force to the head that can break the skull bone and damage the underlying brain tissue, or a brain injury can be suffered when the head undergoes rapid acceleration and deceleration that causes the brain to move back and forth inside the skull. Following the initial brain injury trauma, swelling, metabolic changes and buildup of toxic elements can cause a secondary brain injury.

Of the high number of Americans that suffer a TBI every year, roughly 50,000 will die from the injuries and another 80,000 to 90,000 will suffer long-term disability. Effects of a TBI can impact both the brain and body. A TBI is an individualized injury that will affect each person differently depending on the severity of the injury and the area of the brain that has become affected.

If nerves or muscles that control eye movement are injured, vision problems can ensue. Double vision after a TBI can cause problems with daily activities. For some TBI patients, the double visions will be temporary. Vision will improve as injury to the muscles or the nerves slowly heal over a few weeks or months. Double vision that does not improve with time can mean special glasses with prisms to correct double vision will be needed at all times or surgery to reposition the eye muscles can be performed. This complicated procedure will allow a permanent solution but will require highly specialized surgical techniques.

There are many ways a TBI can affect a patient following the injury. Vision problems are just one symptom of a brain injury. As advances in surgical techniques and more information on traumatic brain injuries are uncovered, better treatment options will continue to become available. The majority of TBIs are preventable and education and stronger enforced safety measures can help reduce the high number of people that are affected by the injury.