Concussions are encountered in a variety of settings across the continuum of care, including schools, sports, outpatient clinics and acute rehabilitation. Post concussion symptoms often include but are not limited to complaints of headaches, dizziness, nausea, eyestrain, blurred or double vision, light and/or noise sensitivity, mood changes and cognitive changes. Those symptoms that persist beyond normal expected clinical recovery of 7-14 days for adults and 30 days for adolescents are termed persistent postconcussive symptoms (PPCS).  Visual deficits are common sequelae post concussion, accounting for some 70% of patients and are associated with prolonged recovery. Our visual system is comprised of more than just eyesight or seeing 20/20. It is a complex and dynamic array of neural networks that are involved in how we process incoming visual information and is vulnerable to harm post brain injury. The visual system plays a dominant role in how we interact with our environment and perform our daily life activities and therefore is an integral part of the rehabilitation process for persons experiencing persistent postconcussive symptoms.

This course will provide its participants with an understanding of the visual system and how it functions as well as the impact visual skills have on our participation in daily activities. Participants will also be provided with education regarding typical visual dysfunction commonly observed in patients with PPCS. The course will also provide education and resources on screening tools and assessments used to evaluate visual skills relative to norms. And finally the course will provide examples of both compensatory and remedial treatment activities, techniques, and resources to assist the patient suffering from persistent postconcussive symptoms relative to vision. The educational level of this course is intermediate