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Brain Injury Awareness Month: How optometric care delivers effective solutions for patients

March 24, 2026

Members of the AOA’s Vision Rehabilitation Committee share clinical tools and insights for brain injury and vision.

Tag(s): Clinical Eye Care, Diseases and Conditions

Brain Injury Awareness Month


Key Takeaways

  • Optometrists are critical in the concussion rehabilitation process.
  • Optometrists can evaluate dizziness through a dynamic visual acuity test. 
  • In addition to lenses, tools such as vision therapy and vision rehabilitation can help patients restore balance.
  • Single-vision lenses make it easier for patients who have had concussion or brain injury to cope.
  • Binasal occlusion provides immediate relief for patients struggling with sensory overload after a brain injury. 

Explore how optometric care delivers effective solutions for concussion recovery, persistent dizziness, and sensory overload following brain injury.  

Curtis Baxstrom, O.D., and Carl Garbus, O.D., members of the AOA Vision Rehabilitation Committee, explain how tools like dynamic visual acuity testing, specialized lens evaluations, and rehabilitation strategies help synchronize the visual and vestibular systems to restore balance and stability. Learn how targeted approaches—including specific lens prescribing, binasal occlusion, and transitioning from progressive to single vision lenses—can provide immediate relief, improve spatial awareness, and enhance comfort in visually demanding environments. 

Explore how optometric care provides critical solutions for concussion recovery and persistent dizziness through the dynamic visual acuity test with Curtis Baxstrom, O.D., AOA Vision Rehabilitation Committee member. Learn how specialized lens evaluations and rehabilitation tools help synchronize the visual and vestibular systems to restore patient balance.
Discover how specific lens prescribing and binasal occlusion provide immediate relief for patients struggling with sensory overload after a brain injury. Carl Garbus, O.D., AOA Vision Rehabilitation Committee, explains why transitioning from progressive lenses to single vision options is a critical step in restoring spatial stability and comfort in busy environments.


Join the Vision Rehab Advocacy Network

Are you interested in helping AOA advocate for better vision rehabilitation policies, regulations and laws? The Vision Rehabilitation Committee provides strong leadership and expertise for AOA's advocacy initiatives, but the real change comes from the coordinated efforts of our members. Joining AOA's Vision Rehab Advocacy Network will not only keep you updated on the AOA's vision rehabilitation advocacy efforts and resources but also help the AOA identify opportunities for you to get involved in promoting vision rehabilitation on local, state and federal levels.

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