Most people wouldn’t immediately think of an experienced chiropractor to help them with eye problems. When I say eye problems, I’m referring to poor eyesight, pain around the eyes, crossed eyes, and even some blindness. Although it may seem obvious to many health professionals and doctors, the cervical spine has a direct connection to many parts of the head, including the eye and the eye bones. The nerves that contribute to the function of the eyes are connected to the C2 part of the spine, which is near the top of the spine also known as the Axis. In many cases, an auto accident can cause damage to this part of the spine, which is typically known as whiplash.
Even a person with a normal brain can feel the effects of this serious event. In fact, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have reported that approximately 1.4 million Americans suffer and are treated for a traumatic brain injury every year (cdc.gov, 2016). Many of the injuries that develop from whiplash often go untreated after the initial evaluation because they begin feeling better after a few weeks, writing off any eye issue to age or the necessity for glasses. However, there is high percentage that eye issues could be a result of the whiplash suffered after an auto accident.
If you’ve been involved in an auto accident and suffered whiplash as a result, depending on your condition, a chiropractor may be able to help you recover from your injuries. Call your local chiropractor to schedule an appointment today.
Unfortunately, eye and vision issues seem to be related to brain injuries and vision issues can also be contributed to trauma, such as when a person hits their head. After an auto accident or any situation in where you suffered a blow to the head or spine, it is absolutely imperative that you schedule an appointment with a doctor to make sure that your eyes and brain are functioning properly. The danger of not getting checked after a brain or neck injury is that a person may suffer for longer periods of time from several conditions without knowing that the injury is in their neck.
Eye issues that may arise after a neck or head injury include:
- Blurred vision
- Blind spots
- Watery eyes
- Difficulty focusing
- Horner’s syndrome (constricted pupils, drooping eyelids, and reduced sweating)
The cervical part of the spine affects the nerve stimulation sent to vertebral arteries and other various parts of the upper body, and it has a tremendous connection to the blood supply going to the eye and other parts of the head. If the neck is misaligned, the arteries connected to those nerves will become more sensitive, affecting the function of those arteries. Therefore, the retina and parts of and around the eye become restricted, creating various symptoms. However, once the cervical spine is realigned and functioning properly, blood can flow freely, cells can regenerate, and the eye can return to seeing the things you may not always want to see.
If you’ve been involved in an auto accident, suffering from whiplash, or suffered a head or neck injury in another way, depending on your condition, a chiropractor may be able to help you recover from your injuries. Call your local chiropractor to schedule an appointment today.
