Dr. Cathy Stern Addresses Brain Injury Community Discusses Post-Trauma Vision Syndrome

Dr. Stern's presentation, entitled "Recognizing Post-Trauma Vision Syndrome," discussed the use of neuro-optometric vision rehabilitation following a brain injury, and the need for a full vision evaluation to determine whether such treatment is appropriate. Dr. Stern is available to speak on a complimentary basis for groups that have an interest in vision therapy.

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Dr. Cathy Stern Addresses Brain Injury Community

Discusses Post-Trauma Vision Syndrome at MBIA Conference

DATELINE: CANTON, MA; ISSUED APRIL 23, 2002 . . .
Dr. Cathy Stern, a Canton-based optometrist, was a featured speaker at the Massachusetts Brain Injury Association's annual conference, recently held in Marlborough, Massachusetts.

The MBIA conference is the largest annual gathering of brain injury survivors, their families, and health professionals in Massachusetts. The conference presents workshops focusing on the latest brain injury therapies, prevention efforts, and various issues affecting the quality of life for brain injury survivors and their families, such as employment and housing options.

Dr. Stern's presentation, entitled "Recognizing Post-Trauma Vision Syndrome," discussed the use of neuro-optometric vision rehabilitation following a brain injury, and the need for a full vision evaluation to determine whether such treatment is appropriate. Dr. Stern is available to speak on a complimentary basis for groups that have an interest in vision therapy.

"It is quite common for patients who have suffered a closed head injury not to be given a full vision evaluation," says Dr. Stern. "Blurred vision, double vision, light sensitivity, and focusing difficulty are typical neurological symptoms, as are nausea, dizziness, spatial disorientation and problems with attention or concentration. Until recently, these problems have been considered an expected side effect of a head injury. Consequently, these symptoms have been left untreated, with the expectation that they would diminish and resolve with the passage of time.

"Although typical, these difficulties do have a major impact on a patient's quality of life, as well as the ability to perform their daily tasks," Dr. Stern stresses. "Today, optometrists specializing in neuro-optometric rehabilitation are using vision rehabilitation therapy to treat these problems, and this visual treatment is becoming an integral part of the entire rehabilitation process."

Neuro-optometric vision rehabilitation is an individualized program of eye, hand, and body activities, which treat specifically diagnosed vision conditions. Following a brain injury, vision rehabilitation therapy can help the brain to relearn how vision integrates with body movement and perception of the visual world. Therapy goals will be to relieve symptoms, such as nausea, disorientation, blurred vision and dizziness. Visual stamina and efficiency should also improve through therapy.

Vision rehabilitation following a brain injury is similar to physical therapy. Therapy sessions are scheduled for a specific period of time, based upon the nature of the symptoms and the severity of the injury. A patient's progress is monitored, and periodic evaluations assess the need for further therapy.

Following a brain injury, a comprehensive vision evaluation is required to determine whether the patient's conditions may respond to vision rehabilitation. These diagnostic evaluations are usually performed by a behavioral optometrist (O.D.), not by an ophthamologist (M.D.). Ophthamologists prescribe medicine and perform surgery, while optometrists' training is focused on the functional aspects of vision. When a patient has suffered a brain injury, it is usually an optometrist trained in neuro-optometric vision rehabilitation who is active in the rehabilitation process, coordinating vision care with other therapies needed by the patient.

Dr. Cathy D. Stern, OD, FCOVD, is a board-certified optometrist specializing in vision rehabilitation following head injury or stroke. Dr. Stern also specializes in vision therapy to treat learning-related vision disorders common in children and adults with ADD/ADHD, reading difficulties, dyslexia and autism. The Massachusetts Society of Optometrists recently recognized Dr. Stern as a leader in vision therapy. Her practice is located at 7 Cedar Drive in Canton, MA. For more information, call (781) 575-0057.

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