Supporting My TBI Recovery: New Neuro-Optometry Protocols for Vision and Brain Health
- jordanswellness
- Jan 21
- 8 min read
Updated: Feb 19
After a traumatic brain injury (TBI), I embarked on a journey to restore my vision through neuro-optometry. This transformative process allowed me to regain clarity and enhance my visual function. By working with a skilled Neuro-Optometrist, I was able to address various vision impairments linked to the TBI, improving both my daily activities and quality of life. In this post, I share my personal experience, the challenges I faced, and the healing process that brought me closer to normalcy.
Disclaimer: The content shared on this blog is based on my personal experiences and should not be considered medical advice. I am not a healthcare professional, and the information provided is intended for informational purposes only. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider before making decisions related to your health, treatments, or therapy. Results and experiences may vary from person to person, and I cannot guarantee specific outcomes.
As part of my ongoing journey to heal from traumatic brain injury (TBI), I'm excited to share some important updates with you regarding my neuro-optometric care. I've recently seen a second neuro-optometrist for a second opinion since my original light therapy protocol ended with my first Neuro-Optometrist and so, too, did the care. This new Neuro-Optometrist has introduced a new, specialized protocol aimed at further improving my vision and brain function. This protocol involves a combination of techniques and tools designed to address the visual dysfunctions commonly associated with TBI, and I’m already seeing positive changes.
1. Prism Glasses for Improved Visual Processing
The first major change in my protocol is switching from trauma glasses to prism glasses. These glasses are designed to help correct visual distortions caused by TBI, such as double vision or difficulty with depth perception. The prisms work by bending light in a way that helps align the eyes, reducing strain and improving visual clarity.
I’ve been advised to wear them 60% of the time, which means incorporating them into my daily activities—whether I’m working, reading, or walking. By doing this, my brain can retrain itself to process visual information more effectively, leading to a decrease in visual discomfort and helping my eyes work together more efficiently.
The benefit of prism glasses is that they don’t just improve vision in the short term—they also support long-term brain healing by retraining the visual pathways, which is crucial after a TBI.
2. Omega N Glasses for Light Therapy (30-Day Protocol)
Another key aspect of my new neuro-optometry protocol is light therapy using Omega N glasses. These glasses are designed to deliver therapeutic light exposure, which can have a profound impact on brain health. The protocol involves wearing the Omega N glasses daily for 30 days, with the aim of stimulating brain activity and promoting neuroplasticity—the brain's ability to reorganize and form new neural connections.
The therapeutic light is particularly helpful for individuals with TBI, as it helps restore balance to the brain's visual and cognitive processing systems. For me, this therapy supports the recovery of the brain's sensory integration system, helping to reduce symptoms like brain fog, visual disturbances, and difficulty focusing. It's an exciting step forward in my healing journey, as I can already sense my cognitive function improving with the consistent use of these glasses.
The first light therapy protocol I underwent during the first year of my recovery felt like a breakthrough for trauma repair. As I sat in a dark closet for 20-minute sessions, staring at a light bulb through the lenses, I felt a calm elation wash over me. The experience was soothing, offering a sense of relief as if the therapy was gently healing my brain. Now, in this second round of light therapy, I only use one lens—the Omega N—and I stare out a window, absorbing the natural light. Unlike the first round, this experience has been different. Instead of calm, I feel a sense of anxiety. I’ve come to understand that this discomfort is a part of my brain rewiring itself and adjusting to the new color of light. The process is more intense, as my brain works to unravel the damage from the injury and adapt to the new sensory input. It’s a reminder that healing from trauma is not linear; it involves both calm and discomfort as the brain navigates its repair.
What Colors of Light Therapy I've Used:
Omega N: The Omega N glasses use a specific light wavelength designed to help with brain healing by stimulating neural pathways. The color associated with the Omega N glasses is a soft purple hue. This color is known for its calming and soothing effects on the nervous system, making it ideal for reducing anxiety and promoting mental clarity. Purple light is often used in light therapy to aid relaxation, balance emotions, and improve focus, particularly in the early stages of recovery from trauma like TBI.
Upsilon Omega N: The Upsilon Omega N glasses use a light color that often incorporates a blend of yellow and green. Green light, known for its balancing properties, is used to help heal vision impairments and improve overall brain function. This color combination works on stimulating the visual cortex while encouraging deep relaxation and stress relief. Green light is also believed to aid in processing information and calming the mind, making it particularly helpful during the later stages of vision therapy as the brain begins to adapt and rewire.
Mu Upsilon: The Mu Upsilon glasses employ a color spectrum that often involves a rich green or teal hue. This color is known for its potential to help the brain's neuroplasticity—helping it adjust to new visual stimuli and repair itself. Green tones in light therapy help calm the mind, promote mental clarity, and soothe the nervous system. When used during vision therapy, the Mu Upsilon glasses encourage the brain to integrate visual and cognitive functions, supporting the reorganization of neural pathways.
Mu Delta: The Mu Delta glasses typically use a deep blue light, which is widely known for its calming and restorative properties. Blue light helps to regulate circadian rhythms, support deep rest, and balance mood, making it essential in brain trauma recovery. This color is often used to reduce stress and anxiety, which can be heightened during the healing process. Blue light therapy, especially when used with the Mu Delta glasses, helps reduce mental fatigue, promotes relaxation, and supports the repair and rewiring of damaged neural pathways, aiding in deeper healing during vision therapy.
Each of these light therapy colors is strategically chosen to target specific healing processes, working in tandem with the brain's natural ability to rewire itself after an injury. These colors offer therapeutic benefits that go beyond visual improvement, supporting emotional well-being and cognitive recovery as well.
When I went into my post 30-day light therapy follow-up, there was not as much change as the doctor hoped, so I was instructed to continue with 2 days or Omega N and using my older light therapy glasses for 3 days and search for which feels best. I have a check in 60 days
3. Vision Therapy and Specific Exercises
In addition to the glasses and light therapy, my neuro-optometrist has prescribed a series of vision therapy exercises that I’ll be performing regularly to improve my visual processing and brain function. Here’s a breakdown of my exercises:
Ballistic Dotting: This exercise involves quickly and repeatedly shifting my focus between different targets, which helps improve eye tracking, focus, and coordination. It's essential for re-training the eye-brain connection and improving overall visual processing.
Look Hard, Look Soft: This technique involves practicing focusing on objects in a "hard" and "soft" way to develop both near and far focusing abilities. It strengthens my eyes' accommodation system and helps with switching focus, which is a common issue for those recovering from TBI.
Palming: This exercise is a relaxing technique where I cover my eyes with my palms to promote deep relaxation. It helps to reduce visual fatigue and stress, giving my eyes a break from the constant strain that comes with trying to process information.
Space Fixator: In this exercise, I focus on a fixed point in space, helping improve my ability to maintain visual attention and stability. It trains my brain to better process spatial relationships, which is often disrupted by TBI.
VTSM Chart Level1 - Color: This exercise involves using a chart designed to improve visual skills by focusing on color recognition and visual discrimination. It enhances brain function and eye coordination, which supports my overall recovery process.
Why These Protocols Matter
You might be wondering: why are these protocols so essential for TBI recovery? The truth is, TBI often leads to disruptions in the way the brain processes visual information. The eyes and the brain work together as a system, and when one is affected, the entire system can be compromised.
By following this new protocol, I’m targeting the core of the problem—improving my brain’s ability to process visual stimuli and restore balance to the sensory systems. These therapies not only improve my vision but also help with cognitive function, focus, and processing speed, which are all essential for a successful recovery.
The Benefits of This Protocol
The benefits of this new neuro-optometric approach are already becoming apparent. By incorporating prism glasses, light therapy, and specific vision exercises into my routine, I’m experiencing a reduction in visual strain, better eye coordination, and improved cognitive clarity. These therapies are designed to work synergistically, supporting both my brain and visual systems as they recover.
For anyone recovering from TBI, it’s crucial to understand that the brain’s ability to heal extends to the visual system. The neuro-optometric care I’m receiving is helping me reclaim my visual abilities and improve my quality of life in ways that go beyond traditional therapies.
This journey is long and requires patience, but I’m feeling optimistic with each new step forward. Stay tuned for more updates as I continue to incorporate these protocols into my healing process, and remember that the right support can make all the difference in your own recovery journey.
Thank you for being a part of this!
All my light. All my love.
Namaste,
Jordan
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