Latinos en Optometry addresses vision symptoms linked to TBI

Latinos en Optometry is highlighting traumatic brain injury (TBI) in Hispanic and Latino communities as part of its Cultural Responsiveness blog series, with a focus on culturally responsive care and improving awareness of conditions that may disproportionately affect these patients, according to a news release.¹

TBI remains a significant public health issue in the US, contributing to more than 214,000 hospitalizations annually and more than 69,000 deaths each year.² Many cases are treated outside hospital settings or go unreported, which can make long-term effects more difficult to identify and manage.

Visual and neurological symptoms following head injury are common but are not always recognized as being linked to a prior concussion or trauma. Patients may present with headaches, dizziness, light sensitivity, or difficulty reading, and studies estimate that up to 60% to 70% of individuals with TBI experience vision-related symptoms during recovery.³

Latinos en Optometry noted that in Hispanic communities, these challenges may be compounded by barriers related to access to care, health literacy, and communication. Research has shown that Hispanic individuals with TBI may report more persistent symptoms and lower levels of functional independence following injury than non-Hispanic White patients. Language differences may also make it more difficult for patients to describe symptoms, while cultural factors can influence how and when concerns are shared.⁴

“In many cases, patients don’t immediately connect their symptoms to a prior head injury,” said DeAnn Fitzgerald, OD, immediate past president of the Neuro-Optometric Rehabilitation Association, in the release. “Taking the time to ask about past concussions or falls—and listening carefully to how patients and their families describe changes—can make a meaningful difference in identifying those who may benefit from additional evaluation.”

The organization said family members often play an important role in healthcare conversations in Hispanic communities by helping describe symptoms, providing context about changes in daily function, or raising concerns patients may not recognize as significant. Creating space for those conversations can help eye care professionals uncover important aspects of a patient’s history.

According to the Pew Research Center, about 73% of Hispanics in the United States speak a language other than English at home, and about one-third report limited English proficiency.⁵ Research also shows that when patients are able to communicate with healthcare providers in their preferred language, trust, understanding, and adherence to treatment recommendations improve.⁶

Latinos en Optometry said optometrists are often among the healthcare providers patients see most regularly, placing them in a position to help identify individuals who may have experienced TBI. Incorporating questions about prior head injuries and ensuring clear, culturally responsive communication may help bring greater awareness to symptoms that might otherwise go unrecognized.

When appropriate, patients may be referred to optometrists who specialize in neurooptometric rehabilitation. The Neuro-Optometric Rehabilitation Association is an interdisciplinary professional organization focused on vision disorders associated with acquired brain injury and other neurological conditions.

The May blog is part of Latinos en Optometry’s ongoing Cultural Responsiveness series, which examines how communication, representation, and equity influence patient care and community health outcomes.

References

1. Latinos en Optometry highlights the role of communication in identifying traumatic brain injury in Hispanic communities. News release. Latinos en Optometry. May 4, 2026. Accessed May 7, 2026.

2. TBI data. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. April 27, 2026. Accessed May 7, 2026. https://www.cdc.gov/traumatic-brain-injury/data-research/index.html

3. Almutairi NM. Visual dysfunctions in mild traumatic brain injury: A focus on accommodative system impairments. Life (Basel). 2025;15(5):744. doi:10.3390/life15050744

4. Arango-Lasprilla JC, Kreutzer JS. Racial and ethnic disparities in functional, psychosocial, and neurobehavioral outcomes after brain injury. J Head Trauma Rehabil. 2010;25(2):128-36. doi:10.1097/HTR.0b013e3181d36ca3

5. Taylor P, Lopez MH,Martínez J, Velasco G. IV. Language Use among Latinos. Pew Research Center. April 4, 2012. Accessed May 7, 2026. https://www.pewresearch.org/race-and-ethnicity/2012/04/04/iv-language-use-among-latinos/

6. Betancourt JR, Renfrew MR, Green AR, Lopez L, Wasserman M; The Disparities Solutions Center, Mongan Institute for Health Policy, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA; Abt Associates, Cambridge, MA. Improving patient safety systems for patients with limited English proficiency: A guide for hospitals. 2012. https://www.ahrq.gov/sites/default/files/publications/files/lepguide.pdf