Traumatic brain injury is frequently underdiagnosed, and its vision-related symptoms — like blurred vision, light sensitivity, and reading difficulty — can fly under the radar. Neuro-optometrist DeAnn Fitzgerald, OD, shares how detailed history-taking and cultural awareness are key to catching concussions early, particularly in Hispanic patients where language barriers and cultural norms can delay care.
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) doesn't always announce itself with an obvious head wound. According to neuro-optometrist DeAnn Fitzgerald, OD, many patients — especially children — walk into routine eye exams with undiagnosed concussions hiding behind symptoms like headaches, blurred vision, light sensitivity, and declining school performance. Fitzgerald describes cases where careful questioning about recent injuries uncovered concussions that had gone untreated for months, with one pediatric patient recovering fully after a targeted concussion management program.
For Hispanic patients, the diagnostic picture gets more complicated. Language barriers, cultural tendencies to minimize symptoms (particularly among caregiving mothers), and limited family awareness of concussion signs can all delay recognition and treatment. Fitzgerald emphasizes the value of professional interpreters over family members for accurate history-taking, and the importance of engaging the whole family in recovery planning — especially when cultural expectations place heavy caregiving burdens on one person.
Key Takeaways:
Why it matters: Missed concussions can have lasting consequences on cognition, vision, and quality of life. Culturally competent, thorough clinical approaches — especially in underserved communities — can make the difference between prolonged suffering and full recovery.
