At Seacoast Vision Care, we offer neuro-optometric rehabilitation in Scarborough, Maine for patients with vision problems caused by traumatic brain injuries. Led by Dr. Nathan Corbell, a skilled neuro-optometrist and member of the Neuro-Optometric Rehabilitation Association, our team helps individuals regain their visual function and quality of life after experiencing a concussion or stroke. 

We don’t provide vision therapy or neuro-ophthalmology care at Seacoast Vision Care. However, our team can assess your visual condition and refer you to a specialist for these services.  

What is neuro-optometric rehabilitation?  

Neuro-optometric rehabilitation is a specialized therapy that uses techniques like therapeutic prisms, lenses, and filters to improve visual functioning. These tools are used to help retrain the eyes and brain to work together more effectively, enhancing overall visual performance. At Seacoast Vision Care, we tailor our neuro-optometric rehabilitation programs in Scarborough to meet each patient’s unique needs, considering their specific symptoms and goals for improvement.

Symptoms treated by neuro-optometric rehabilitation  

One of the key benefits of neuro-optometric rehabilitation is its ability to address a wide range of visual symptoms that may occur because of a concussion or stroke. These symptoms may include: 

• Blurry or double vision 
• Light sensitivity 
• Eye pain 
• Dizziness 
• Headaches 
• Nausea 
• Crowd sensitivity 
• Balance issues 
• Difficulty with reading or focusing 

Our eye doctors also evaluate vision symptoms linked to learning disabilities, Lyme disease, balance issues without a clear cause, and reading difficulties. By targeting these specific areas of visual dysfunction through personalized treatment plans, we can help patients regain confidence in their visual abilities and improve their quality of life.  

Our scheduling process  

Before we can schedule an appointment for neuro-optometric rehabilitation, we will first need a referral. Your referral should include details about why you need neuro-optometric rehabilitation, along with demographic, insurance, and medical history information. You should also share information from other providers if relevant to your care. To send a referral, please fax all information to (207) 396-6604. 

Once we receive and review your referral, our team will reach out to schedule your appointment. This appointment may be split into multiple visits to accommodate any required vision tests and tailor the treatment plan to your specific needs. Please note that this appointment can’t be booked through our online scheduler. 

We suggest bringing someone along for support during your appointment. We will be sharing a lot of information, and the appointment can be overwhelming for the patient. If you require specific accommodation, please let our staff know when scheduling your appointment. 

Your first appointment 

At your first appointment, we will ask you to complete some registration forms, which are also available on our website. Please remember to bring along your insurance card(s), list of medications, current eyewear, and a photo ID. 

During your evaluation, our provider will assess your eye health and visual acuity. We’ll also ask about your medical history and the reason for your visit. If necessary, we will perform additional vision tests, either on the computer or manually, to assess different aspects of your vision. Toward the end of your visit, we’ll discuss an initial treatment plan and schedule any follow-up visits. 

You may not receive a new eyewear prescription at your first appointment. As part of your treatment plan, we may suggest incorporating vision exercises to enhance eye function. If you’re working with a physical or occupational therapist, please inform our staff or eye doctor.  

Follow-up appointments 

As part of your treatment plan, we may need to schedule more visits. Our provider will decide on the timing of these appointments. 

Recovery can take weeks, months, or even years, depending on how severe the symptoms are. Our eye doctor will tailor the duration of treatment to your specific needs.

Cost & insurance 

Your first evaluation and preliminary testing will be billed to your medical insurance. This appointment falls under medical services and cannot be charged to your vision plan. 

After your first appointment, our provider might suggest either joining our neuro-optometric rehabilitation program or returning for follow-up evaluations. If you decide to participate in our rehabilitation program, your visits will be paid for out of pocket and cannot be billed to your insurance. This program will be customized to your exact needs.  

If our provider recommends follow-up evaluations and care, the costs and ability to bill your insurance will depend on the treatment plan they recommend.  

We’ll discuss all costs with you before your visit, and you will be responsible for all copays, coinsurance, and deductible expenses according to your medical insurance policy. We won’t charge your vision plans for neuro-optometric rehabilitation visits. You can bill vision plans for eyewear only, and you can find our list of in-network vision plans on our website’s Insurance page. We also accept HSA, FSA, and CareCredit in our office. 

Get the specialty care you deserve 

If you or someone you know is dealing with vision issues after a concussion or stroke, we’re here to help with specialized care and to answer any questions you have. To send a referral, please fax it to (207) 396-6604. You can also visit the NORA website for more information on neuro-optometric rehabilitation.