Ep 93 👁️ Neuro-Optometry and Concussion Rehab Explained by Dr Neera Kapoor, OD, FAAO, FCOVD-A

Concussion Corner®

🥼 Hosted by Dr. Jessica Schwartz PT, DPT, CSCS, a Doctor of Physical Therapy and brain injury survivor, who is unapologetically passionate about educating healthcare professionals about concussion, examination, intervention, collaboration, and advocacy.
🎙️ Concussion Corner Podcast® is our Free Open Access Medical Education #FOAMed portion of our 24 weeks of educational programming at Concussion Corner Academy®. We’re so happy that you’re here!
🎓 Concussion Corner Academy® has two courses — Concussion: The Patient Rehabilitation Journey Part I & Part II — each offering 30 hours of continuing education credit for PT, OT, and ATC in all 50 United States. We’ve served hundreds of healthcare professionals worldwide across disciplines. We’re truly interdisciplinary and interactive across all aspects of our programming!
🔗 Visit us at https://www.concussioncorner.org to learn more about how you can join our #TeachOneServeMany community!
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💡 In This Episode:
👁️ Dr. Neera Kapoor, Clinical Professor of Rehabilitation Medicine at NYU Grossman School of Medicine and internationally recognized neuro-optometrist, joins Dr. Jessica Schwartz for a deep dive into the missing link in concussion care — vision.
🤝 Together they explore how to identify visual and ocular motor dysfunction, bridge care between disciplines, and understand the functional component of vision that so many concussion patients struggle to describe.
📍 Highlights include:
• Why vision is foundational but often overlooked in concussion care
• The difference between primary eye exams and neuro-optometric assessment
• Listening for subtle subjective red and yellow flags patients can’t name
• Why measuring recovery is as important as the break in near-point testing
• How to sequence care between visual, vestibular, and cervical systems
• Practical tips for reading and screen habituation with real-world carryover
• Pacing, grounding, and re-connecting patients to their body after TBI
• Upcoming research and global teaching by Dr. Kapoor
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🩺 About Dr. Neera Kapoor:
Dr. Kapoor is a Clinical Professor of Rehabilitation Medicine at NYU Grossman School of Medicine and an internationally recognized neuro-optometrist with over 100 lectures delivered worldwide. She has co-authored dozens of peer-reviewed articles and textbook chapters on vision and acquired brain injury. Her teaching emphasizes functional vision integration, proprioceptive feedback, and collaboration across disciplines to enhance concussion outcomes.
📅 Upcoming Speaking Engagements:
• Stroke and Vertigo Lecture — Northwell Health — 🗓️ November 13
• Brain Injury Association of New York State (BIANYS) Conference — 🗓️ March 6 2026 in White Plains, NY
• Guest Editor — 🧠 International Journal of Emergency Medicine Special Open-Access Issue on Mild Traumatic Brain Injury (launching early 2026)
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📄 #FOAMed Resources Mentioned In This Episode:
🔗 Concussion Corner Academy Part II Enrollment — https://www.concussioncorner.org/courses
🔗 Northwell Health Events — https://www.northwell.edu
🔗 Brain Injury Association of New York State — https://bianys.org
🔗 International Journal of Emergency Medicine — https://intjem.biomedcentral.com
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📖 Chapters:
00:00 Introduction to Concussion Corner® and Dr. Neera Kapoor
02:43 Why vision is the missing link in concussion care
08:07 Listening for patient language and functional clues
12:25 Proprioceptive feedback and near-point convergence tips
15:39 Pacing and grounding the visual system
18:40 Visual vs vestibular vs cervical drivers of dizziness
23:14 Eye muscle roles explained for rehab providers
26:19 Sequencing and co-management in interdisciplinary care
31:49 Why recovery is as important as the break
33:47 Closing remarks and upcoming lectures
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A Word From Our Sponsor:
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📢 Call to Action:
👍 Like this episode
🔔 Subscribe to Concussion Corner Podcast®
👥 Share with a colleague
🎓 Join Concussion Corner Academy® Part II to learn live with Dr. Neera Kapoor and our faculty
🌐 www.ConcussionCorner.org
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This podcast is for entertainment and educational purposes only and should not be confused for medical advice. Please reach out to your medical team or call 911 if this is an emergency.
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