Concussion and resulting visual disturbances
 

Hi. I had some concussions in my youth (20 years ago). Since that time, I've suffered from severe visual problems that doctors have just ignored. Because of these visual problems I cannot read text, use a cell phone, watch tv or really make eye contact very much. I can use a computer for short periods of time. I am alive yes, but I spend most of my life sitting on a couch and petting my dog although the rest of my body is completely healthy.

What happens when I look at a cell phone or watch tv for more than 30 minutes is extreme eye pain. This is then followed by eyelid swelling and styes.

I've been attacked these symptoms with eye doctors and dermatologists and ENT doctors, but long ago gave up on it as a concussion issue.

What I am asking in this post is how to pursue something with a doctor who might look at past concussions as a cause of my symptoms? Secondly, do any of you suffer from anything remotely like this? In all honesty, if I look at my cell phone for a minute or two... twelve hours later it looks like I was in a fight. Eyes swollen. Styes. discharge.

I appreciate any advice. Sincerely.
Thanks.

Have you explored any alternative medicine , like naturopathic, acupuncture, possibly even upper cervical adjustments?

MDs aren't trained in these other methods and may even be biased against them, so they won't suggest or consider referring them...

But it may be what you need..

Although tying your eye issues to your past concussions is interesting, it does not make a difference in finding treatments.

Have you had any testing like a VEP, Visual Evoked Potentials ? It is done similar to an EEG or as part of a qEEG.

How about an ENG, ElectroNystagmoGram. ?

What about a neuro-ophthalmologist ?

What kind of severe visual problems do you have ? Many of us have visual difficulties with text, screens, etc due to a variety of issues.

Thank you for the replies. With no exaggeration, if I glance at my phone more than 10 times a day, my eye muscles hurt very badly. My eyelids swell and I get styes. I also cannot look at small items like legos without eye pain. There are a lot of symptoms just like this.

I've never heard of neuro opthamology, but will begin exploring it. I have read some stuff about Carrick Brain centers and that seems like an all-in-one that would probably cost a lot up front, but save me time of getting referred all over the place. This has been going on for 20 years and I'm at my wits end.

In addition to neuro ophthalmologists, you might also be interested in investigating behavioral optometry or neuro-optometric rehab. You can find referrals at http://www.braininjuries.org and http://www.nora.cc