Objectively-based vergence and accommodative dynamics in mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI): A mini review

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Ophthalmology
• Rehabilitation Medicine

Background:

• Mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) frequently impacts visual functions.
• Vergence and accommodation are critical visual systems often affected by mTBI.
• Objective assessment of these systems is crucial for understanding mTBI-related visual deficits.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review laboratory studies assessing vergence and accommodative dynamics in mTBI patients.
• To discuss the diagnostic and therapeutic implications of these findings.
• To identify limitations and suggest future research directions in mTBI vision research.

Main Methods:

• Review of major laboratory studies utilizing objective assessment of vergence and accommodative dynamics.
• Analysis of findings related to baseline parameter responsivity and treatment outcomes.
• Comparison of mTBI patient data with normative control data.

Main Results:

• Individuals with mTBI exhibited abnormal baseline responsivity in dynamic vergence and accommodation parameters (slowed, delayed, inaccurate).
• Oculomotor-based vision therapy partially remediated these abnormal dynamic parameter responsivities.
• These findings suggest significant residual neuroplasticity in the mTBI brain.

Conclusions:

• Vergence and accommodation dynamics are significantly impaired following mTBI.
• Vision therapy demonstrates potential for remediating mTBI-induced visual dysfunctions.
• The brain retains considerable neuroplasticity, offering avenues for rehabilitation after mTBI.