When considering a traumatic brain injury (TBI) patient's treatment plan, Neuro-Optometric Rehabilitation therapy is often overlooked. The science of Neuro-Optometrics supports the practice as a beneficial foundation for a successful therapy treatment plan.

The visual pathway affects many other higher-level areas in the brain, as well as the primary visual cortex. Approximately 30 additional areas

of the brain receive information from the visual pathway. Cortical areas receiving information from vision are densely interconnected and can be compromised following a head injury. Rehabilitation of these visual pathways can significantly impact the overall improvement of the patient. Neuro-Optometric Rehabilitation therapy can also affect each aspect of rehabilitation, including speech, physical and occupational therapy.

Traumatic Brain Injury:

Detecting hidden visual problems.

Vision is the most important source of sensory information, consisting of a sophisticated complex of subsystems which impact the flow and processing of information to the brain. Because there is a close relationship between vision and the brain, Traumatic Brain Injury(TBI) can disrupt the visual process, but frequently go undetected.

Often visual problems resulting from TBIs are overlooked during initial treatment. Frequently these problems are hidden, which can lengthen and impair the rehabilitation process.

Neuro-Optometric Rehabilitation Therapy for TBI Patients:

Patients with TBI sometimes present a constellation of oculomotor dysfunctions and correlated symptoms. Simple and effective clinical

oculomotor-based training procedures will be presented with respect to the visual, vergence and accommodative systems, and their interactions.

Excel Neuro-Optometric Clinic offers therapeutic procedures addressing attention, concentration, comprehension and visual memory which are all integral steps in the rehabilitation process.

Disturbances of various visual systems manifest with many symptoms and/or behaviors. Patients who have been diagnosed with TBI may have subtle visual system dysfunctions. Neuro-Optometric Rehabilitation addresses these six major dysfunctions, which can dramatically impact patients' overall treatment and recovery.

Neuro-Optometric Rehabilitation assesses the ability to adapt to changes in the environment, while emphasizing perceptual awareness and attention used in executive functions.

Dr. Danna Haba specializes in Neuro Behavioral Optometry and Vision Rehabilitation, working extensively with children and adults who experience difficulties after a TBI. Dr. Haba graduated with honors from the University of Missouri College of Optometry and was an adjunct professor for the Michigan College of Optometry. She serves nationally as a frequent lecturer and consultant to rehabilitation and therapy providers. Dr. Haba has been a lecturer at BIAMI's yearly convention on the topic of "Vision Rehabilitation-The Missing Link." A Fellow of the College of Optometrists in Vision Development, Dr. Haba is a member of NORA, AOA, COVD, MOA, BIAMI and OEP, and is also Consultant Director of Vision Rehabilitation at Special Tree Rehabilitation Center.

"...Vision therapy was an "eye-opening" experience for me... I am glad I had vision therapy because now my future is brighter and clearer than I ever imagined it would be" - Renee

"...Mary has not only improved with regards to her vision & comfort, she also went back to school and finished her degree. Her entire demeanor has changed. She is no longer guarded & unsure of herself..." - Patient Mary

"...After attending Excel Institute for vision rehabilitation he no longer experienced double vision and his reading skills efficiency had increased to a grade level 13 with 100% comprehension..." - Patient Clark

Clinical Oculomotor Training in Traumatic Brain Injury (.PDF)
Vision therapy for oculomotor dysfunctions in acquired brain injury: A retrospective analysis (.PDF)
Special Issue on Neuro-optometry (.PDF)
Traumatic Brain Injury and Binasal Occlusion (.PDF)
Post Trauma Vision Syndrome: Part I (.PDF)