
	ACQUIRED BRAIN INJURY REHABILITATION Following traumatic brain injury, patients frequently develop a constellation of symptoms that have been defined as Post Trauma Vision Syndrome. The patients complain of blurred or double vision, headaches, spatial disorientation, photophobia, objects appearing to move, visual hallucinations, poor attention and concentration and poor visual memory. Characteristics include convergence insufficiency, accommodative dysfunction, exotropia or exophoria, low blink rate, poor fixation and pursuits and visual instability in general. It has been determined that an neuro-optometric assessment can accurately diagnose this condition and is used in rehabilitation hospitals throughout the United States, who have optometrists practicing neuro-optometric rehabilitation on their staffs. Not only can this condition be diagnosed, but in addition, treatment through lenses, prisms and vision therapy has been effective in providing stability to the visual system. It has also been found that improvements in visual function through neuro-optometric rehabilitation has affected all aspects of rehabilitation programs in general. A brain injury patient benefits from the coordinated care provided by a multi-disciplinary team of trained professionals. The multi-disciplinary team approach is especially beneficial due to the level of care and amount of time required to rehabilitate a brain injury patient. Vision is an important component of the patient’s rehabilitation, and affects the patient’s progress in other areas of treatment. Our team of specialists has the expertise and experience to provide vision care specific to brain injury patients. Performance of the eyes and visual system determines the efficiency of visual integration. Visual Integration Affects: Speech Fine motor skills Balance Gross motor skills Eye-hand coordination Visualization Crossing the mid-line Hyper/hypo sensitivities Awareness of the environment Comprehension Symptoms of Vision Problems and/or Visual Integration Include: Blurred vision Loss of visual field Sensitivity to light Misaligned eyes Headaches Poor posture Neck and/or back pain Nystagmus Poor balance Difficulty reading Inadequate gross motor skills Poor eye-hand coordination Poor comprehension Inadequate depth perception Visual perception problems Poor memory A Variety of Brain Injuries Can Result in Visual Problems: Traumatic brain injury Cervical injury Post-concussion syndrome Stroke Cerebral palsy Nervous system palsy Pre/Peri/Post natal brain development difficulties or injuries Treatment often includes ocular therapies to correct and improve: Eye movement, focusing, teaming, and tracking skills. Rehabilitation includes a combination of ocular therapies, corrective/therapeutic lenses, and prisms. The treatment objective is to assist the brain in relearning visual system management skills. Since 1991, our team of trained specialists have been providing accurate, professional diagnoses and state-of-the-art treatment you can count on. Our expertise, experience and results speak for themselves. We look forward to being of service to you. For more information please visit Advanced Vision Therapy Center Dr. Ryan C. Johnson: Neuro-Optometrist A native of Boise, Dr. Johnson graduated from Boise State University with a bachelor's of science in kinesiology. Dr. Johnson graduated from Southern California College of Optometry before pursuing a residency in binocular vision, vision therapy, and neuro-optometry at the University of California, Berkeley. Dr. Johnson is Idaho's first residency trained optometrist in neuro-optometry, binocular vision and vision therapy. With his residency training, Dr. Johnson's clinical experience and expertise is in the areas of strabismus, amblyopia, binocular vision dysfunction, acquired brain injury, vision rehabilitation and the visual system as it relates to brain function. Dr. Johnson also combines his knowledge of exercise science from his undergraduate work with his understanding of the visual system to provide sports vision training to enhance visual performance for athletes of all ability levels - bringing vision rehabilitation and sports vision training to Idaho. Dr. Johnson is a member of the American Optometric Association, Idaho Optometric Physicians, College of Optometrist in Vision Development (COVD) and the American Academy of Optometry (AAO). He also serves as clinical director at Advanced Vision Therapy Center. Accepting new patients. Schedule your appointment with Dr. Ryan C. Johnson or call us at 208.377.8899.