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.

Inclusion Criteria:

- TBI (any form)

- Hemianopic Visual Field Loss

- Stable fixation

- 1.0 logMAR or better Reading Acuity

- 20 words per minute or better reading rate

Exclusion Criteria:

- Visual Neglect

- medical conditions that prevent sitting for 30 minutes or following instructions