Vision Therapy Helps Patients with Concussions

  • February 23, 2015

Brookings Health System’s occupational therapy team now offers vision therapy to help patients who experience a concussion, severe head injury or stroke recover and get back to normal activities of daily living.

“Our community is very active and has several athletes who have had or may incur a concussion. Community members can also have a concussion from a fall on the ice,” said Rehabilitative Services Director Gavin Weber. “We are offering vision therapy services for concussion patients to help them recover close to home and save them time from driving to another location to receive therapy.”

A concussion is a type of traumatic brain injury which changes the way the brain normally works. Approximately 1.6 to 3.8 million recreational and sport-related concussions occur each year in the U.S. Many concussion symptoms and effects are vision related, including dizziness, headaches, nausea, and difficulty reading, concentrating or focusing.

Brookings Health System’s occupational therapy team is trained to evaluate and create a vision therapy program based on an individual’s need. Treatment may focus on:

  • Muscle function
  • The ability of the eyes to work together
  • Field of vision
  • Difficulty reading and remembering
  • Learning
  • Balance
  • Navigating personal environments
  • Teaching strategies to help with daily activities.

Physician referral is required for the program. Patients interested in participating in vision therapy for concussion may have their physician contact the rehabilitative services department at (605) 696-8821. To learn more about comprehensive therapy services at Brookings Health System, please visit www.brookingshealth.org/therapy.

About Brookings Health System

Brookings Health System, located in Brookings, South Dakota, includes a 49-bed hospital, the 79-bed The Neighborhoods at Brookview nursing home, Brookhaven Estates senior living apartments, Yorkshire Eye Clinic, Arlington Medical Center and White Medical Clinic. It is a non-profit, city-owned facility that offers the community a full range of inpatient, outpatient, surgical and extended care services. The emergency room is staffed 24 hours a day and provides around the clock patient needs ranging from minor injuries to life threatening crises. For more information about the services offered at Brookings Health System, please call (605) 696-9000 or visit us on the Web at brookingshealth.org.