Dizziness, Headaches and Reading Problems After a Concussion
We provide advanced concussion vision assessments in Sydney for patients experiencing dizziness, headaches, and reading difficulties after a head injury.
Still Not Feeling Right After a Concussion?
Many patients come to us after being told:
“Your scan is normal”
“Your eyes are fine”
yet they still experience:
- dizziness or feeling off balance
- headaches with reading or screens
- light sensitivity
- difficulty concentrating
- words moving or losing their place while reading
If this sounds like you, you’re not imagining it – and importantly, it’s often not picked up in standard eye tests or scans.
What Is a Concussion?
A concussion is a disruption to how the brain functions after a knock or force to the head. Even when MRI or CT scans are normal, the brain’s ability to process visual and balance information can be affected. This is why many people continue to experience symptoms weeks or months after the injury.
Why Vision Problems Occur After Concussion
After a concussion, your eyes may still be healthy, but the way your brain controls them can change.
This can affect:
- how your eyes work together (binocular vision)
- your ability to focus clearly
- how your eyes track when reading
- how vision interacts with your balance system
Even small disruptions can lead to significant symptoms like dizziness, headaches, and fatigue.
The Missing Link: Vision And Balance
One of the most overlooked issues after concussion is how vision interacts with the balance (vestibular) system.
Your brain constantly combines:
- visual input (what you see)
- vestibular input (inner ear balance)
- body awareness (proprioception)
After a concussion, this system can become out of sync.
This is why you may feel:
- off balance
- overwhelmed in busy environments
- worse with movement or visual stimulation
If you have not had a concussion but experience similar symptoms, see our dizziness and visual problems page.
Common Post-Concussion Vision Symptoms
You may notice:
- Headaches, especially with reading or screens
- Dizziness or motion sensitivity
- Blurred or double vision
- Words moving or skipping when reading
- Difficulty concentrating or “brain fog”
- Light sensitivity (photophobia)
- Feeling overwhelmed in busy environments (e.g. shopping centres, driving)
- Eye strain and fatigue
These symptoms are often related to how your brain is processing vision, not just your eyesight.
Why Standard Eye Tests Miss This
Most eye tests check:
- how clearly you can see
- eye health
They do not assess how your visual system interacts with your brain and balance system.
Many patients are told nothing is wrong – until we test how their visual system is actually functioning.
In some cases, this may be related to binocular vision dysfunction (BVD). You can learn more on our BVD page.
Our Approach: Advanced Neuro-Visual Assessment
At Westmead Eyes Optometrists, we assess how your visual system interacts with your brain and balance system.
Your assessment may include:
- binocular vision (eye coordination) testing
- eye movement and reading analysis
- focusing system evaluation
- vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR) assessment
- balance testing to assess visual–vestibular interaction
In many cases, we can demonstrate changes in stability and symptoms during the assessment itself using specialised lenses.
This helps confirm whether your symptoms are being driven by how your visual system is functioning.
Can Post-Concussion Vision Problems Be Treated?
Once properly diagnosed, many patients improve significantly.
Treatment may include:
- Prism lenses to improve visual alignment and reduce sensory conflict
- Therapeutic lenses or tints to reduce light sensitivity and visual overload
- Vision therapy to retrain coordination and processing
- Practical strategies to improve reading, screen use, and daily function
Every treatment plan is tailored to your specific findings.
Who Should Book This Assessment?
You should consider a concussion vision assessment if you have had a head injury and still experience:
- still feel “not quite right” after a head injury
- experience dizziness or balance issues
- get headaches with reading or screens
- feel overwhelmed in busy visual environments
- have difficulty concentrating or focusing
- have symptoms lasting more than a few weeks
Many of our patients have seen multiple providers before discovering the visual component of their symptoms.
Before Your Concussion Vision Assessment
Please complete the Brain Injury Vision Symptom Survey before your appointment.
The BIVSS is a 28-item questionnaire developed to document vision-related symptoms in adults following mild-to-moderate brain injury. It asks about visual clarity, eye comfort, light sensitivity, double vision, spatial awareness, visually busy environments and reading.
Consultation Fee
Please note we charge an additional fee of $265 for a concussion vision assessment. This reflects the extended consultation time and advanced testing required.
Follow-up visits may be required depending on your findings.
Book a Concussion Vision Test in Sydney
If you’re still experiencing symptoms after a concussion, the next step is a proper assessment of how your visual system is functioning, and how it may be affecting your balance and daily life. Please book a one hour concussion vision assessment with our optometrists, Dr Kevin Trac or Dr Sze Ho Ying
Common Questions
Why do I feel dizzy in shopping centres after a concussion?
Busy environments place high demand on your visual system. After a concussion, your brain may struggle to process this information efficiently, leading to dizziness or overwhelm.
Can vision problems cause dizziness even if scans are normal?
Yes. Many patients have normal MRI or CT scans but still experience symptoms due to how their brain processes visual information.
Do prism glasses help after concussion?
In some cases, prism lenses can improve how your visual system functions, reducing strain and improving stability.