Marla Townsend, a beloved former UAB softball coach and 2024 inductee into the UAB Athletics Hall of Fame, has found renewed hope and clarity through the compassionate care she received at UAB Eye Care, the clinical arm of the UAB School of Optometry.

Following a car accident in April 2024, Townsend experienced persistent issues such as ear ringing, dizziness with head movements, light sensitivity, and headaches. When these symptoms didn’t improve, she turned to her optometrist of over a decade, Kathy Weise, OD, MBA, for care.

Weise, an expert in diagnosing and managing vision-related consequences of concussions, updated Townsend’s glasses prescription and prescribed light-blocking contact lenses for temporary use. She then recommended that Townsend visit the Vestibular and Oculomotor Research (VOR) Lab at UAB Eye Care for further testing due to her ongoing issues.

Managed by Mark Swanson, OD, MSPH, the lab features an advanced, research-grade rotating chair and a high-tech eye-tracking system. This cutting-edge equipment, one of the few in the Southeast and the first in Alabama, objectively and comprehensively tests vestibular, oculomotor, and balance functions.

“Our testing using the VOR chair revealed poor eye tracking when Coach Townsend was looking up and down; she also had an abnormal vestibular ocular reflex,” Swanson said. “Her VOR cancellation was off, suggesting she might find it hard to drive through trees and sunshine in Alabama or be in a busy grocery store, which explained some of her difficulties.”

Swanson’s care gave Townsend a level of comfort and understanding that she had not experienced with previous healthcare providers. She felt validated.

“Dr. Swanson really helped me understand the VOR Lab and how the testing would be completed,” she said. “I truly felt like someone finally understood what was going on in my head.”

Townsend’s goal is to return to her pre-accident level of health to be the best mother she can be and enjoy life without limitations.

“I am a proud mother of my two children, a 20-year-old daughter and a 9-year-old son,” she shared. “I am a retired educator and coach, and currently a motivational speaker and elite mindset coach. I love life on my farm, caring for my dogs, cats, horses, and chickens. Being outdoors provides a sense of peace and enjoyment for me.”

With vision therapy and vestibular therapy, Swanson—also a UAB Optometry professor—is hopeful that Townsend’s brain can be retrained to perform simple tasks more effectively.

“In Coach Townsend’s case, addressing these issues within the first year gives us a better chance of success,” he said.

Townsend’s journey at UAB Eye Care highlights the importance of specialized care and the profound impact it can have on patients’ lives. As she continues her recovery, she remains optimistic about her future and deeply grateful for the care she has received.