Ocular changes in traumatic brain injury: A review.

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Ophthalmology
• Medical Imaging

Background:

• Traumatic brain injury (TBI) disrupts brain function and is prevalent in military personnel and athletes.
• Current TBI assessments focus on vestibulo-ocular and vascular parameters.
• Ophthalmic imaging innovations allow visualization of eye-brain connections.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review literature on ocular imaging biomarkers for TBI assessment.
• To explore the feasibility and importance of using eye imaging in TBI diagnosis.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of individual and population-based studies.
• Examination of data on visual fields, retinal nerve fiber layer thickness, retinal ganglion cell layer thickness, and cerebral blood flow.

Main Results:

• The eye and brain share developmental and physiological pathways.
• Ocular imaging modalities show potential as novel tools for TBI assessment.

Conclusions:

• Ocular imaging biomarkers, including visual fields and retinal layer thickness, are promising for TBI evaluation.
• Further research into ocular imaging can advance TBI assessment and diagnosis.