What is a TBI?

An external force causes a traumatic brain injury (TBI) to the brain and can affect all ages, potentially resulting in disability or death. A TBI can cause physical, cognitive, emotional, visual, social, and behavioral side effects, which can drastically differ from person to person. Roughly 2,350,000 U.S. citizens are hospitalized from non-fatal TBI each year. Forty-three point three percent (43.3%) of individuals face residual disability one year after their injury.

Sixty percent (60%) of individuals who suffer from a TBI experience one or more visual dysfunctions.

Classification of TBIs: TBIs are classified using the Glasgow Coma Scale, an assessment tool used to measure an individual's level of consciousness based on their visual, verbal, and motor responses to stimuli. Individuals are typically assessed as mild, moderate, or severe.

Clinical Symptoms of a TBI

• • Headaches

  • Nausea/vomiting

  • Convulsions

  • Inability to awaken

  • Dilation of one or both pupils

  • Slurred speech

  • Aphasia

  • Dysarthria

  • Weakness/numbness of the limbs

  • Lack or poor coordination and balance

  • Restlessness & agitation

  • Poor judgment

  • Fatigue

  • Tinnitus

  • Vision deficits (e.g., visual acuity, deficits in saccadic and smooth pursuit movements, etc.)