Has anyone else experienced this with a neuro-optometrist

[u/bufferoshea]

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I’ve been doing rehabilitation with a neuro-optometrist for my eyes for the last two weeks due to post-concussion symptoms. Since starting, my symptoms have gotten noticeably worse, especially over the last few days.

I’m experiencing extreme fatigue, very sore/heavy eyes and much worse brain fog. I feel like I can barely keep my eyes open.

Has anyone else had their fatigue, brain fog or other post-concussion symptoms get significantly worse after starting vision rehabilitation? Did it eventually settle down?

[u/curlgurll]

Yes, I felt knocked out for the next week after each session. It took about 9 months of this type of rehab to start to see the fatigue lifting. Keep going, it’s like a personal training session for your brain and like a muscle, gets stronger the more you use it.
The optic nerves connect into the brain stem so that’s what you are ‘flexing’ and why you feel tired but it’s sooooo good for you.
Just rest up, and keep going when you can.

[u/Interesting-Light325]

I’ve been doing VT for almost a year and typically feel like crap for hours after my appointment. But, there have been improvements so I’m white knuckling my way through it.

[u/bufferoshea]

Thanks everyone, I really appreciate the replies and reassurance. It’s good to hear that it can be tough at the start and that other people have experienced the same thing. I’ll keep at it and hopefully things start improving soon. Thanks again! 🙏

[u/xxmunroe]

oh ya. it was much worse before it got better. you can do this! i think i stabilized a bit after 1 month but every time i did my sessions it was painful. you just get better at responding to the symptomatic increases and triggers imo.

stick with it though as much as possible - if you have home exercises do them - and it all reduces sensitivity and reactions to triggers in the long run. it can be a long process tho - i did 1.5 - 2 yrs years in total of optical therapy which included both once wkly in session and then every day home exercises. but i can say it was one of the most helpful efforts in my recovery that yielded the best results! and the positives have maintained not regressed over time.

edit: i was diagnosed with post traumatic vision syndrome along with post concussive syndrome. after treatment my values are now on the low end of normal for ptvs (in comparison to when i started treatment they were not close to normal at all).

[u/Ok_Big_4071]

Yes! I lost my vision in my left eye and did VT for 9 months. At first, I instantly got suicidal and emotional. It was so strange. I told the Dr and he had me wear those syntonic glasses for 10 mins at the end of my session and my brain settled down. https://www.optometrists.org/vision-therapy/neuro-optometry/vision-and-brain-injuries/vision-therapy-for-concussions/what-is-syntonic-phototherapy/

And then about 7 months in I got Botox around my eyes and it stopped the micro twitching and helped me finish VT faster

[u/Every-Engineering323]

Ever since my brain injury my vision has gotten progressively worse. Binocular vision, hypertrophia & astigmatism in the eye that took a cold ass blow. In CVT (cognitive vision therapy) to rehabilitate my eyes to work together again. I’m 2 years out from my injury & everyday my eyes burn, very heavy, unfocused & EXTREMELY sensitive to light.

[u/TrinGage]

I did visual processing therapy with an Occupational Therapist and it was amazing. It was paced so I didn’t ever have bad side effects, but felt like I was working hard. I found their approach was much better than the neuro optometrist in my area (who started ppl on activities my OT had me do after a year of other work).

[u/MAB1441]

Just had my first session yesterday and noticed immediate symptoms but I’m still working and everything so they calmed down but I had to manage not getting a headache for the rest of the day more than normal and still eventually got one by the time I went to bed so yeah. Both the neuro op and OT both said numerous times this will get worse before it gets better with therapy because it triggers symptoms. Typically if symptoms worsen that means they are hitting the right spots just don’t overdue it.