Functional Vision in TBI

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) can cause vision loss because of diffuse or focal neuronal injury. Vision can be compromised because of local injury to one or both optic nerves, diffuse brain injury, and/or limitation in eye movements because of dysfunction of cranial nerves. These typical injuries may compromise any of the neural pathways that subserve afferent or efferent visual function. Self-reports of vision loss include diplopia, visual field loss, light sensitivity, reading problems and contrast sensitivity (color and luminance) loss. This project will pursue the following aims: 1) Identify the relationship between functional vision loss in everyday vision tasks (reading, visual search, way finding) and the characteristics of potential visual impairment (visual acuity, contrast sensitivity, visual fields, stereoacuity, eye movement disorders) associated with TBI; and 2) Determine the ability of the vision rehabilitation interventions (both monotherapy and combination therapy) to improve functional vision outcome measures that reflect everyday visual tasks. The vision rehabilitation interventions incorporated into this study will be Vision Restoration Therapy, NVT Eye Scanning Therapy, and standard Eccentric Viewing Training. These therapies are rehabilitative interventions prescribed for Veterans in Polytrauma Rehabilitation Centers, Blind Rehabilitation Centers, and advocated for VA Medical Center TBI clinics.