Concussion and Convergence Insufficiency (Eye Injury)

September 28, 2021, Kitchener, Ontario

Posted by: Robert Deutschmann, Personal Injury Lawyer

Concussion (mild traumatic brain injury) is a common injury among children and adults worldwide. It can occur because of sporting mishaps, car accidents, slip and falls, workplace injury, pedestrian and cycling accidents, and many other causes. Concussion is a leading cause of emergency room visits in Canada. Concussion symptoms can be short lived or linger for months or even years. 

Vision – eye issues – are the biggest issue for the majority of patients with persistent post concussion symptoms and are particularly problematic for students during the school year. 

Concussion Symptoms

The symptoms of concussion include:

• Dizziness
• Nausea
• Fatigue
• Mood changes
• Poor sleep
• Mood disorders
• Headaches
• Eye coordination issues – lack of ability to focus on near objects, blurred vision and double vision

What is Convergence Insufficiency and Why It Is a Problem

CI (convergence insufficiency) is the condition that prevents the muscles of the eyes from working together in a coordinated manner allowing them to focus.

$3.7 million in research funding has recently been awarded by the National Eye Institute of the NIH leading a multi-institutional team of engineers, optometrists, vision researchers, sports medicine doctors, biostatisticians, and PT balance experts to investigate convergence insufficiency (CI the lack of ability to focus on near objects). Their goal is to develop diagnostic and treatment guidelines to allow patients to read books, work on computers or use a smartphone – all activities that are essential to school and work.

According to the press release:

The team is enrolling a demographically diverse group of 100 participants between the ages of 15 and 25 with persistent symptoms of CI one-to-three months post-trauma in clinical trials at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) and Robert Wood Johnson's Somerset Pediatric Group in New Jersey. The source of their concussions varies, from falls, to car accidents, to sports injuries.

What’s Next

In the past, researchers have completed several randomized trials that compared various treatments for CI in non-concussion patients. The therapies ranged from over the counter physical aids to more sophisticated treatments prescribed by clinicians.

The new research project will take these therapies and try to determine which if any of them are useful for post concussion CI therapy. Once researchers have a better understanding of how vision therapy changes the concussed brain to improve visual function, and the role of the therapies in returning patients to normal activities, they hope to develop personalized therapeutics for patients with concussion and CI.

Have you been injured seriously in an accident due to someone else's negligence and are suffering from concussion symptoms? Call or contact our experienced personal injury lawyers today!

About Deutschmann Law

Deutschmann Law serves South-Western Ontario with offices in Kitchener-Waterloo, Cambridge, Woodstock, Brantford, Stratford and Ayr. The law practice of Robert Deutschmann focuses almost exclusively in personal injury and disability insurance matters. For more information, please visit www.deutschmannlaw.com or call us at 1-519-742-7774.

It is important that you review your accident benefit file with one of our experienced personal injury / car accident lawyers to ensure that you obtain access to all your benefits which include, but are limited to, things like physiotherapy, income replacement benefits, vocational retraining and home modifications.