Did you know that about 90% of traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) cause some type of vision dysfunction? Often, it’s temporary and relatively mild. A person may have trouble focusing, experience blurred vision or be especially sensitive to light and motion.
As the brain heals, many of these issues resolve on their own, but that’s not always the case. Some vision problems may require treatment and/or therapy. Sometimes, a person’s vision never returns to what it was prior to the injury.
How can a TBI affect vision?
Besides the relatively mild symptoms we already mentioned, when a TBI disrupts the communication between the brain and the eyes, a person may experience:
- Double vision
- Loss of peripheral vision
- Difficulty tracking movement
- Difficulty switching focus between something close-up and in the distance
- Visual memory loss, which is not remembering what you just saw or read
These and other symptoms may not appear immediately. Even if they do, a person who’s been in a car crash or other serious accident may be dealing with more immediate and painful issues and not notice their vision deficits until days or weeks later.
Specialized care may be required
It’s always a good idea to have your vision evaluated as soon as possible after a TBI. The sooner a problem is diagnosed, the sooner you can start getting the necessary treatment, therapy and rehabilitation. All of these can help improve any harm to your vision.
Vision problems are just one example of harm caused by a TBI that may not be readily apparent or easily healed. That’s why it’s crucial not to accept a settlement from an at-fault party’s insurer or directly from them until you know the full extent of your injuries and damages. Once you accept a settlement, it can be virtually impossible to try to seek additional compensation. Getting legal guidance as soon as possible can help you protect your rights to fair compensation.