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Visual Dysfunctions at Different Stages after Blast and Non-blast Mild Traumatic Brain Injury
José E Capó-Aponte1, Kendra L Jorgensen-Wagers, Josue A Sosa
1*OD, PhD, FAAO †PhD ‡BS §PhD, FAAO ∥MS Visual Sciences Branch, Sensory Research Division, U.S. Army Aeromedical Research Laboratory, Fort Rucker, Alabama (JEC-A, JAS, DVW, LAT, DWR); Department of Optometry, Womack Army Medical Center, Fort Bragg, North Carolina (JEC-A); Traumatic Brain Injury Clinic, Landstuhl Regional Medical Center, APO, Germany (KLJ-W); and Psychology Service & Western Blind Rehabilitation Center, Veteran Affairs Palo Alto Health Care System, Menlo Park, California (GLG).
Visual dysfunctions are common after mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) in war fighters. However, symptoms and dysfunction prevalence did not significantly differ between blast and non-blast injuries.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Neuroscience
- Military Medicine
Background:
- Mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) is a common injury in military personnel.
- Visual dysfunctions can be a significant consequence of mTBI, impacting war fighter readiness.
- Understanding the prevalence and patterns of visual sequelae is crucial for effective management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the frequency of visual dysfunctions and related symptoms in war fighters following mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI).
- To compare visual outcomes based on injury mechanism (blast vs. non-blast) and time since injury.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of electronic health records for 500 U.S. military personnel diagnosed with deployment-related mTBI.
- Data categorized by injury mechanism and time interval between injury and eye examination.
- Analysis focused on identifying visual symptoms and specific functional dysfunctions.
Main Results:
- A high incidence of visual symptoms and dysfunctions was observed in the mTBI cohort.
- No significant differences in prevalence were found between blast and non-blast injury groups, except for eye pain and diplopia.
- Common binocular dysfunctions included vertical phoria, reduced fusional vergence, receded near point of convergence, decreased stereoacuity, and reduced accommodation.
Conclusions:
- The visual consequences of mTBI in war fighters appear consistent regardless of blast or non-blast mechanisms.
- Findings suggest that research on civilian non-blast mTBI visual sequelae is applicable to military populations.
- This highlights the importance of comprehensive visual assessment following any form of mTBI in military personnel.
