Traumatic
Brain Injury
& Concussion
Solutions for Concussions, Post-Concussive Syndrome & Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
Experts call traumatic brain injury a growing “public health challenge.”
As many as 3.8 million cases of such injury occur annually in the United States.
Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI)
can be overwhelming and have what researchers call “a profound impact” on all aspects of a patient’s life, including abilities to think and move during daily functions and activities. The more detailed mechanisms of recovery from such injuries are not well understood. Medical management of the resulting neurological and cognitive symptoms and complications oftentimes proves difficult. That’s because the brain is complex and responds differently to forces applied to it, depending on severity, location and angle of impact. Also, no two people are the same, and patients exposed to similar injuries will respond differently.
About 75 percent of cases of brain trauma are considered mild but they are by no means benign. In fact, authors of a study published in the January issue of JAMA Psychiatry report that as many as one in five individuals who have sustained a mild head injury will develop mental health conditions, such as major depressive disorder, personality changes and behavioral abnormalities.
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Signs and Symptoms
Brain injury impairments can be physical, mental and emotional and both short-term and long-lasting. They may appear immediately after the trauma or becoming manifest days – or weeks – later. Among the symptoms of an injured brain are:
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Headache
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Nausea
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Vertigo (dizziness) and issues with balance
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Cognitive deficits, such as memory loss, inability to concentrate, confusion, aphasia and other language processing difficulties, such as difficulty with word recall, losing train of thought and problems reading or writing
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Heightened sensory systems:
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Visual problems: blurred vision, abnormal eye movements, poor eye coordination, light sensitivity and difficulties in judging distance, seeing more in two dimensions rather than three
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Hearing issues: increased sensitivity to sound, partial hearing loss, ringing in ears
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Smell and taste issues: increased or decreased sensitivity to smells
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Physical changes that affect appetite, sleep, body chemistry and other basic functions
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Mental alterations, including depression, emotional problems, irritability and decreased ambition/motivation.
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Epileptic-like seizures
Standard Therapies
Medication, hospitalization, even surgery may be required immediately following a brain trauma depending on severity of injury. A period of rehabilitation also may be needed, although recovery from brain injury can be slow, taking weeks, months and even years. Oftentimes, a patient is simply prescribed rest and monitored for emergence of any neurological issues.
Still would like to find out more about Brain Injury Rehabilitation?
You can download these articles written by
Dr. Zelinsky:
Case Study
An artificial intelligence expert who struggled with symptoms of traumatic brain injury for eight years following a car crash was able to be “put back together again” in steps, with remarkable progress in the first month, thanks to the efforts of two professional women — a neuroscientist and an optometrist using advanced neuro-optometric rehabilitation.
So, says Clark Elliott PhD, a professor at Chicago’s DePaul University, who details his long journey back to health in a 2015 book that has now been read or discussed by millions of people throughout the world – The Ghost in My Brain.
At the Mind-Eye Institute
We understand that interactions between the electrical and biochemical pathways in the brain affect physical, physiological and psychological systems.
Patients undergo thorough examination with advanced technology and testing techniques to measure visual performance and visual processing functions and determine whether the visual processing systems are in balance with other sensory systems that require perception of space and time, such as auditory localization ability. With this information, Institute experts can consider how light might be manipulated to positively impact patient brain function, with the goal of finding optimal ways of mitigating symptoms not improved or resolved through standard approaches.
Specifically, our team offers patients prescriptive eyeglasses, contact lenses or other optometric interventions to selectively stimulate light dispersed on the retina. Individualized lenses can:
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Maximize patients’ visual performance and visual processing capabilities to create a stable balance between auditory and visual localization, each of which is used to visualize surrounding space.
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Improve patient perception of the surrounding environment in order to modify behavior and enhance communication skills.
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Help rebuild brain pathways or develop new pathways that enhance a patient’s ability to learn, understand and interact normally with others.
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Help calm the nervous system’s reactions to environmental changes.
Getting In Touch With Us
To find out the next steps of registering as a patient or registering a child as a patient, please call the Mind•Eye Institute office at 847.501.2020 or you can fill out our online New Patient Inquiry Form on the right.
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Allyson M, MD (Texas)
"The glasses gave me back a part of my life."
The glasses gave me back a part of my life... Dr. Zelinsky pushes the limits of science. She takes what she knows about the brain and the eyes, analyzes each patient individually, theorizes which brain pathways are triggering the symptoms, puts all the information together and determines a plan for rehabilitation.
Danelle K (Wisconsin)
"I feel like [Mind-Eye] is making progress where other providers are not looking."
Murphy M (Illinois)
"Going to the Mind-Eye Institute has been the best decision I have ever made."
Dr. Zelinsky profoundly changed my life. I spent years with a light sensitivity that made me deeply, deeply ill. Going to the Mind-Eye Institute has been the best decision I have ever made.
Marie W (Illinois)
"I have been in pain for the past 20 years, but no longer."
Monica R (California)
"I am no longer agitated by artificial and fluorescent lighting."
Ricardo C (Illinois)
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Victoria B (Illinois)
"[My anxiety] seemed to have just fallen away. I began to feel more relaxed."
[My anxiety] seemed to have just fallen away. I began to feel more relaxed... I am now able to control my thoughts, to manage myself every day. The tension that used to build up in my head is gone.
Mary W (Minnesota)
"I am so grateful. The Mind-Eye Institute has given me my life back."
I started seeing things more clearly. There was a definition to [objects] not noticed before. Even colors appeared more vibrant, crisper... I am so grateful. The Mind-Eye Institute has given me my life back.
Kate F (Illinois)
"She is reading books all the time... a big change from a child who avoided reading."
Kate would come home from school tired and irritable. Now, she has a smile on her face at the end of the school day, with plenty energy left to hang out with friends or get involved in other activities. And she is reading books all the time. In the evening, she reads as long as she can before having to turn out the light. That is truly gratifying to me and a big change from a child who avoided reading.
Richard D (Illinois)
"It is possible to return to a more normal life - even after years of symptoms."
I finally finished an actual, physical book in a day. Before receiving the [Mind-Eye] glasses, the book would have taken me three or four months to read because of my concentration problems and fatigue... I want to tell other veterans that relief is out there, that it is possible to return to a more normal life – even after years of symptoms.
Darby M (Arizona)
"Doctor Z has saved my life multiple times."
Doctor Z has saved my life multiple times. She cured me of my post concussive symptoms. I rate the mind eye connection 5 stars and would recommend it to anyone.
Bill L (Illinois)
"The Mind-Eye Institute has made me realize that one’s life does not have to remain in the ‘new normal.'"
The Mind-Eye Institute has made me realize that one’s life does not have to remain in the ‘new normal.' I want to tell other Veterans that you are better than your symptoms. You have alternatives.
Betty C (Illinois)
"Had it not been for the Mind-Eye Institute and Dr. Zelinsky, I am not sure my daughters would have achieved what they already have in both their education and careers."
Had it not been for the Mind-Eye Institute and Dr. Zelinsky, I am not sure my daughters would have achieved what they already have in both their education and careers. My oldest daughter graduated from Harvard Business School and now has a successful career in business. My second daughter went on to become an ICU nurse.
Gisele K (Michigan)
"Great customer care and follow-up!"
Dr. Zelinsky is an amazing professional and has really helped me in my healing process after a traumatic brain injury. I high recommend her services. Great customer care and follow-up! I have felt great improvement and I am very thankful.
Jimmy G (Illinois)
"Thanks to the Mind-Eye Institute, I am able to succeed inside and outside the classroom."
Within two weeks after receiving my first pair of Mind-Eye glasses, I began noticing astounding changes. I began to read again. I could sit in front of a computer screen and complete hours-long essays. I could study for my exams in five-hour increments. Thanks to the Mind-Eye Institute, I am able to succeed inside and outside the classroom.
Alysa W (Illinois)
Dr Z was a game changer for us! We can’t thank you enough!
We love Dr Z and the staff at Mind Eye Connection! My daughter started seeing Dr Z in 2nd grade and was diagnosed with a learning disability and given an IEP. She is now in 8th grade, with a 4.0 GPA and no longer needs her IEP! Dr Z was a game changer for us! We can’t thank you enough!
Patrick R (California)
"If other doctors tell you you're 100% healthy when you know you're not, go see Dr. Zelinsky."
Dr. Zelinsky is a miracle-worker. If other doctors have no idea how to cure you, tell you you're 100% healthy when you know you're not, and/or look at you like your crazy, go see Dr. Zelinsky
Julia C
"The progress we are seeing with our kiddo is tremendous!"
The progress we are seeing with our kiddo now that he has started seeing Dr Zelinsky is tremendous!
Becky L (Illinois)
"Debbie Zelinsky saved my life."
Debbie Zelinsky saved my life. This is not hyperbole. If you or your child has always been slightly “off,” struggling with an invisible illness that others dismiss, don’t walk— run— to the Mind-Eye Institute.
Paul O (New Hampshire)
"Thank you for resolving my vision issues that I sustained as a result of my TBI."
Dr. Zelinsky, thank you for resolving my vision issues that I sustained as a result of my TBI. You confirmed my symptoms and gave me the confidence that I would heal. You predicted I'd be better in 6 months and you were right on, I continue to improve everyday thanks to you.
Kate M (Illinois)
"Amazing results!"
The Doctor is off the charts brilliant. When my kids were having challenges in reading and school work, she understands how the brain works and the connection of the visual connections like no other. Amazing results!
Vicki F (Illinois)
"Life changing improvement for my husband five years post brain injury."
Life changing improvement for my husband five years post acquired brain injury. Even the Mayo Clinic had told us there was nothing more they could do. Dr. Zelinsky is astounding in her ability to retrain the brain.
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'Dr. Zelinsky Is Renowned'
~ Norman Doidge, M.D. & Clark Elliott, Ph.D., Dr. Patrick Quaid and Patricia S. Lemer praise her accomplishments:
"Zelinsky fit Elliott with a series of eyeglasses designed to improve the perceptual damage that made his life so difficult... Getting fitted for Zelinsky's eyeglasses is like no eye appointment you've ever had... Now, Elliott says, he is almost entirely symptom-free, able to problem-solve, multi-task and find his way easily — all abilities he lost in the auto accident in 1999. When he put on his Phase VI glasses he felt something that he hadn't felt for years: "I felt normal."
Review: 'The Ghost in My Brain'
- The Chicago Tribune
"One brilliant Chicago-area optometrist I know, Deborah Zelinsky OD, FNORA, FCOVD, has developed a unique, patented, easy-to-administer evaluation called the Z-Bell Test. This test measures the efficiency of integration between visual processing and listening....A 2014 study at Vanderbilt University found that children with autism do not synchronize their seeing and hearing...I have watched Dr. Zelinsky administer this test to disbelieving colleagues, who were astounded by its accuracy and results...Over the past two decades, The Z-Bell Test has become internationally recognized by the scientific community.”
- Patricia S. Lemer, Licensed Profesional Counselor (LPC)
"I visited Dr. Zelinsky, and she showed me how she can use optical lenses to alter sensory filtering, by directing light to different retinal cells and brain circuits. This can influence activity in the brain and the hypothalamus to better regulate body chemistry, sensory integration, and even some auditory processing. [Dr. Zelinsky] works frequently with patients working with learning and cognitive disorders as well as TBIs."
- Norman Doidge, M.D.
"I was delighted to have Dr. Zelinsky personally contribute to the book. Her wealth of knowledge in the area of visual development and visual processing is widely known, not just through her contribution of eye-care to the author of “The Ghost in My Brain”, but also via her Mind-Eye Institute and the lectures and training their provide. Dr. Zelinsky is not just colleague and a friend, but also a valued member of the neuro-optometric community and an invaluable bridge to other allied professions treating brain injuries. Her contribution to the book is deeply appreciated."
- Dr. Patrick Quaid, MCOptom, FCOVD, PhD
Clinic Business Hours:
Monday 8AM–6:45PM
Tuesday 8AM–6:45PM
Wednesday 7:45AM–6:30PM
Thursday 8AM–6:45PM
Friday 8AM–6:45PM
Closed Saturday & Sunday
Contact Us:
info@mindeye.com
Northbrook Clinic Address
1414 Techny Rd,
Northbrook, IL 60062, USA
FAX
847.501.2021