Traumatic Brain Injury: Dr. Laurie Chaikin Explains Vision & Balance Problems (Full Interview)

This is the full 30-minute interview with Behavioral Optometrist, Occupational Therapist, and Neuro Rehabilitation specialist Dr. Laurie Chaikin. She explains how people with Traumatic Brain Injury and Concussion can repair their visual issues, previously believed to be permanent. Dr. Laurie Chaikin received her Masters in Science degree in Occupational Therapy in 1983 and her Doctor of Optometry degree from UC Berkeley in May 1993. By integrating her knowledge and interest in vision and neurological rehabilitation Dr. Chaikin has created a unique practice that represents a merging of both disciplines. Her current professional interests focus on the early identification of visual problems in patients following stroke and other traumatic brain injuries. Early identification allows her to develop effective visual rehabilitation treatment plans. Dr. Chaiken can be reached at www.OptoRehab.com Nathalie Kelly can be reached at www.BrainRecoveryCoach.com QUESTIONS: When we think of traumatic brain injuries, we think of cognitive issues, what percentage of people with traumatic brain injuries have their vision affected? Why is vision so affected? How are the eyes and the brain interconnected? For some people with TBI, visual processing can be exhausting. What percentage of the brain’s available energy goes to processing vision? So if the brain had to work harder to understand what it was seeing, would it take energy away from the brain’s other functions, creating fatigue and less function all around? What kind of visual impairments are most commonly seen? I have heard survivors say “I can see but I feel like I am blind.” How would you explain that so that others can understand that? I have also heard survivors say that they feel disconnected from everything, as if the world were surreal. Is that a function of visual processing? How are the visual problems affecting dizziness and disorientation in space? What happens in a store or a visually stimulating environment? Why do florescent lights make the issues worse? How is the ability to read and understand what one is reading affected? THE DIAGNOSIS These issues seem very hard to diagnose. I had at least 12 different doctors, neurologists, and neuro-optomotrists unable to find my issues. What tools are required to diagnose these issues? What kind of practitioner would have these tools? What is the difference between Neuro-Optomology and Behavioral Optometry? THE SOLUTION If someone watching were having these kinds of debilitating issues either for themselves or for a loved one, what would you suggest they do? I know you offer a lot of different healing modalities which is important because every brain injury is different. What are the treatment methods you use? What are the ones that are most commonly helpful with TBI? Does vision ever return to normal? Dizziness and disorientation? I have read that the optic nerve is the only part of the brain that has not been shown to be neuro-plastic or repairable, is that true in your opinion? Do you have a message of hope for traumatic brain injury survivors? See the full 30-minute interview and get my special report on 3 Things Everyone with a Brain Injury Needs to Know at http://www.TheTBICoach.com