The beginning of Fall means returning to soccer and football, which just happens to be the two sports with the most concussion related injuries.  It was nice to learn today that my oldest daughter Hannah and her soccer teammates received baseline IMPACT testing as part of being on the team.  This testing establishes a baseline of cognitive functioning, which can be tested later after a suspected head injury, helping to evaluate for possible traumatic losses or deficiencies.

Optometrists that deal with vision therapy also use baselines to evaluate for concussion related injuries.  While we don’t have data on each specific person, we have age appropriate norms for ocular functioning that we can use to see if there are ocular impacts.  Concussion patients can demonstrate loss in converging eye movements, tracking eye movements, changing focus, and being photosensitive.  Concussion patients often require special glasses prescribing and or vision therapy to help them with their symptoms, in addition to receiving physical therapy and occupational therapy for balance and mobility.

Anthony Lee and Associates Eyecare

Foxridge Building, Rockport

AnthonyLeeEyecare.com

236-2399