- From Blurry Beginnings to a Clearer Vision: Wildlin Pierrevil’s Story
- More Than Makeup: Ash K Holm on Protecting the Eyes Behind the Glam
- Seeing the World Differently: Natasha Caudill’s Story
- Life with Progressive Vision Loss: One Family’s Story
- From Blurred Vision to Game-Day Clarity: Kike Hernández’s Story
- An Ultra Marathoner’s Wake-Up Call: How an Online Exam Almost Cost Him His Vision
- Hilery Zusi: Regaining independence through low vision care
- Glasses transform preschooler’s eyesight and energy levels
- Young Patient Overcomes Contact Lens Wear After Rare Cataract
- One Teen’s Lifechanging Diagnosis from an Eye Exam
- A routine eye exam potentially saved
- Practicing Healthy Eye Habits for the Modern Workplace with Cruz
- Screen Savvy: An Eye Health Report for the Modern Workforce
- Two days before Christmas, five-year-old Harlan’s parents were told he might have eye cancer
- Sharing safe screen habits with gamer and content creator, Tuonto
- Tara Robertson How one gamers shared passion with her optometrist optimized her care
- Stream Safely with Professional Gamer ARUUU
- Casey Nichols
- Dylan Shockey-Prioritizing eye health with high levels of screen time
- Routine comprehensive eye exam leads to liver cancer diagnosis
- Glaucoma Caught Before Woman Loses Her Eyesight
- Leveling up with Jordan Fisher
- The Results of a Comprehensive Eye Exam-A Lifesaving Diabetes Diagnosis
- Tacko Fall
- Larry Lipman
- Kelly Rosemann
- Pamela Young
- Abeni Neubauer
- Emory Mitchell
- Julie from NYC
- Alison Teitelbaum
- Janice Cook
- Dr Jones
- Living with Sjögren’s
- Fighting to vision after COVID-19
- Almost losing the eyes behind the vision
- Pro Surfer Caroline Marks-All Eyes on the Future
After years of suffering the effects of a concussion—one patient's optometrist gives her life back
Dr. Tracey Glendenning—Seeing Through Rose-Colored Glasses
A few years ago, Catherine was rear-ended, and her head hit the steering wheel, causing a traumatic brain injury (TBI)—it took a few weeks for doctors even to realize she had a brain injury.
A TBI is an injury that affects how the brain works caused by a bump, blow or jolt to the head or a penetrating injury. While a concussion is considered a mild TBI, undiagnosed and untreated concussions can lead to an increased risk of brain damage and injuries. Participation in sports, car accidents, falls and physical activities can increase the likelihood of head injuries and concussions.
For the next two years, Catherine endured: light and sound sensitivity, balance issues, dizziness, nausea, slurred speech and difficulty finding words. She also developed a constant “Parkinson’s-like head tremor” that doctors could not explain. She saw countless doctors, one of whom told her the head tremor was caused by anxiety.
Her second physical therapist referred her to Tracey Glendenning, O.D., of MyEyeDr., who was more familiar with TBIs and mobility issues.
“Whenever I have a patient like this, the first thing I ask is, ‘What are your goals?’” Dr. Glendenning explains. “For Catherine, she wanted to be able to read, write, use a computer again and decrease light sensitivity.”
To help achieve this, Dr. Glendenning tried a lens filter in Catherine’s glasses that helped but was not making as much of an impact as they wanted. So, when an opportunity arose to participate in a lab on TBIs, Dr. Glendenning jumped at it. Here, she learned about a specific type of filter that she had never heard of before.
A week later, Catherine decided to try sample glasses – her tremor slowed down immediately. “As soon as I put the glasses on, I felt my brain calm down and I felt like I could see for the first time.”
For Catherine, these glasses were life-changing. For the first time in two years, she could walk to the grocery store, work out and drive again. She also credits them for eating healthier—with her tremor and vision issues; she had trouble cutting up things like fruits, vegetables and meat.
"I always want to see patients two-three months after getting new glasses. When Catherine walked into my office, I almost didn’t recognize her. She seemed like an entirely new person." -Dr. Glendenning
Ninety percent of patients with TBI injuries will suffer visual symptoms, but they are not always noticeable. Regular, comprehensive eye exams can detect visual signs of undiagnosed concussions. Patients who experience a blow or jolt to the head should see a doctor of optometry.
Tracey Glendenning, O.D., FCOVD
Tracey Glendenning, O.D., FCOVD has more than 30 years of experience in optometry. She examines, diagnoses, treats and manages diseases, injuries and disorders of the eye and associated structures as well as identify related systemic conditions affecting the eye.
Find an AOA doctor of optometry near you.
From Blurry Beginnings to a Clearer Vision: Wildlin Pierrevil’s Story
For Wildlin, a New York–based creator, artist and storyteller, creativity is about seeing the world differently. From composing music to crafting digital art, his vision fuels everything he does. But it wasn’t until fifth grade that Wildlin realized he wasn’t seeing the world as clearly as he thought. Now, in partnership with the American Optometric Association, he’s encouraging others to take care of the one pair of eyes they get.
More Than Makeup: Ash K Holm on Protecting the Eyes Behind the Glam
For celebrity makeup artist, content creator, and educator Ash K Holm, eye health became a priority after she began noticing symptoms she couldn’t ignore. Now, in partnership with the American Optometric Association, she’s helping others understand the importance of in-person, comprehensive eye exams and why your eyes deserve the same care as the rest of your body.
Seeing the World Differently: Natasha Caudill’s Story
For Chicago-based creator and disability advocate Natasha, vision isn’t defined by color — it’s defined by perspective. Born with achromatopsia, a rare form of blindness that allows her to see only in shades of gray, Natasha has built a powerful platform dedicated to education, inclusion, and empowerment. Now, in partnership with the American Optometric Association, she’s helping others understand the importance of eye health and comprehensive vision care.