A Surprising Symptom of Visual Dysfunction

Imagine sitting down with a book or a report. You feel fine initially, but after a few minutes, your eyelids grow heavy, and staying awake becomes a challenge. You may admonish yourself and blame a lack of interest or focus when in reality, this could easily be linked to visual dysfunction.

For some, this fatigue while reading is tied to undiagnosed visual dysfunction, which can persist even when basic vision tests show good visual acuity. At The Center for Vision Development, we often see this manifest in patients recovering from traumatic brain injuries (TBI) or those with subtle binocular vision issues.

If you’ve ever wondered why reading seems to drain your energy, this blog will help you uncover possible answers.

How Visual Dysfunction Causes Reading Fatigue

Visual dysfunction can affect how your eyes work together, how they focus, or how they track along a page. When these processes don’t function properly, your brain must work harder to compensate. This extra effort can lead to:

• Mental Fatigue: The brain struggles to process visual input efficiently, leading to drowsiness.
• Difficulty Sustaining Focus: Problems with eye teaming (binocular vision) can make it hard to keep your place on a page.
• Visual Overload: The eyes may send conflicting and overwhelming amounts of information to the brain, causing it to “shut down” as a protective measure.

This last symptom is often overlooked because it isn’t typically associated with vision problems, especially when standard eye exams show no abnormalities.

The Link Between TBI and Reading Fatigue

Traumatic brain injuries, even mild ones, can disrupt the complex neural pathways involved in vision. Patients recovering from TBIs often report a range of subtle symptoms, including:

• Difficulty reading for extended periods.
• Feeling exhausted after visually demanding tasks.
• Headaches or eye strain when focusing on near tasks.

These symptoms are a result of the brain’s impaired ability to process and interpret visual information effectively. At The Center for Vision Development, we specialize in diagnosing and addressing these challenges through customized treatment plans.

Solutions for Reading-Related Visual Dysfunction

At The Center for Vision Development, we take a comprehensive approach to diagnosing and treating visual dysfunctions. Our process includes:

• Thorough Assessments: We evaluate how your eyes focus, track, and work together, going beyond a standard vision test.
• Vision Therapy: Our structured vision therapy program retrains the brain and eyes to function more effectively, improving focus and reducing fatigue.
• Specialized Treatments for TBI Patients: Tailored therapies address the unique visual challenges that often follow a brain injury.

When to Seek Help

If you or a loved one consistently feels fatigued or drowsy while reading, despite having seemingly good vision, there’s a good chance it could be a visual dysfunction. Symptoms like these are often overlooked, but at The Center for Vision Development, we’re here to help uncover the root cause and provide solutions to preserve your vision for the long run.

Contact The Center for Vision Development for Vision Therapy

At The Center for Vision Development, we’re committed to helping patients in Austin overcome visual challenges and regain confidence in daily tasks like reading. Whether your symptoms are linked to a TBI or another condition, our experienced team can design a personalized plan to restore comfort and clarity.

Request a functional vision exam and learn how vision therapy can help you or your loved one stay awake and engaged while reading.