Neuro-Optometry: What Is It and Who Does It Help?

What is Neuro-Optometry?

Neuro-optometry, or neuro-optometric rehabilitation, is a specialized field of optometry designed to assist individuals dealing with vision problems caused by brain injuries or neurological conditions. This field emphasizes the crucial connection between the eyes and the brain, and it focuses on restoring proper communication between the two.

Unlike standard eye exams that primarily focus on vision clarity and eye health, a neuro-optometric evaluation looks at:

• How well your eyes focus, track, and move together.  

• Whether your vision is affecting your balance, coordination, memory, or concentration.  

• How your visual system is contributing to symptoms like headaches, dizziness, light sensitivity, or brain fog. 

Who Can Benefit from Neuro-Optometry?

Neuro-optometric rehabilitation can be highly effective for individuals recovering from:

• Concussion or traumatic brain injury (TBI) 

• Stroke 

• Long COVID 

• Neurological infections or inflammation 

Even if you have 20/20 vision, you may still experience issues that require specialized care. Symptoms that may indicate the need for neuro-optometric rehabilitation include:

• Feeling dizzy or off-balance  

• Trouble reading or driving  

• Poor coordination or clumsiness  

• Light sensitivity or frequent headaches  

• Fatigue or eye strain when using a screen 

What Happens in Neuro-Optometric Treatment?

Each brain injury and visual system is different, which is why your rehabilitation plan will be specifically tailored to meet your needs and lifestyle. After a comprehensive evaluation, your neuro-optometrist will determine the most effective treatments and tools to retrain how your eyes and brain work together, relieve symptoms, and restore your confidence in day-to-day activities—whether at work, school, or during leisure time. The treatment strategy typically combines various evidence-based methods, each carefully chosen to address your specific case. 

Therapeutic Lenses

Specialized lenses, such as tinted, prism, or high-powered lenses, are used to modify how light enters your eyes and how images are processed by the retina. These lenses help reduce the strain on your eyes by making it easier to focus, align, and filter visual information. As a result, symptoms like dizziness, double vision, headaches, and light sensitivity can be relieved, allowing you to engage more effectively in therapy and everyday activities.

In-Office Vision Therapy

During therapy sessions, you’ll work one-on-one with a vision therapist using tools like computerized targets, balance boards, and prisms. These exercises are designed to improve eye coordination, tracking, and focus—essential skills for reading, driving, and sports.

At-Home Exercises

To complement your in-office therapy, your neuro-optometrist may recommend simple daily exercises. These could include activities like Brock string exercises, pencil push-ups, or visual scanning exercises. These tasks help reinforce neural connections and ensure continuous adaptation of your visual system.

Multisensory Training™

Environments with too many sensory inputs—like crowded stores, busy intersections, or noisy restaurants—can overwhelm a brain in recovery. Multisensory Training™ gradually introduces layered stimuli (such as movement, sound, and light) while guiding you through visual tasks. This method teaches your brain to block out distractions, ensuring clearer and more stable vision in everyday situations.

Collaboration with Your Healthcare Team

Your neuro-optometrist will collaborate with other healthcare professionals, including physical and occupational therapists, speech-language pathologists, neurologists, and your primary care doctor. By sharing progress updates and treatment goals, your entire care team ensures a coordinated approach, leading to a smoother, more efficient recovery process.

Why Most People Are Unaware of Neuro-Optometry

Many individuals dealing with brain injuries or neurological conditions experience vision-related issues without receiving the specialized care they need. This is often because typical eye exams may not detect these specific visual problems. Patients are often told that their eyes are healthy, despite experiencing significant discomfort, as most eye care providers are not trained to recognize brain-related visual impairments.

If you’ve been told that "your eyes are fine" but still experience persistent symptoms, it could be time to explore a neuro-optometric evaluation.

How Long Until You See Results?

Recovery from neuro-optometric rehabilitation varies for each individual. While some may see improvements after just a few sessions, others may need more time to see significant results. The key to successful recovery is to address the root cause of your symptoms, rather than just managing the effects.

Your neuro-optometric rehabilitation plan will be tailored to your specific needs, goals, and symptoms, ensuring that your progress is at a pace that is most effective for you.

How Do I Get Started with Neuro-Optometry?

If you think you or a loved one might benefit from neuro-optometric care: 

1. Schedule an evaluation with a neuro-optometrist. Find one at neurovisionrehab.org or covd.org.  

2. Bring a list of your symptoms, including those that don’t seem vision-related.  

3. Don’t wait! The sooner you begin care, the better your chance of full recovery.