Automated Eye Tracking Enables Saccade Performance Evaluation of Patients with Concussion History

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology and Vision Science
• Neurology and Neuroscience
• Sports Medicine

Background:

• Concussion history can lead to persistent oculomotor deficits.
• Saccade performance is a key indicator of visual-motor function.
• Automated eye tracking offers objective measurement of saccade parameters.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate saccade performance in patients with a history of concussion using automated eye-tracking.
• To identify potential biomarkers for concussion-related visual impairment.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of 115 patients with concussion history undergoing eye-tracking oculomotor testing.
• Comparison of saccade fixation and speed/accuracy ratios with normative data.
• Multiple linear regression to identify factors associated with saccade performance.

Main Results:

• Patients with concussion history exhibited fewer fixations and lower speed/accuracy ratios compared to controls.
• Older age and male sex were associated with altered saccade performance.
• Older age correlated with reduced horizontal saccade speed/accuracy.

Conclusions:

• Automated eye tracking reveals impaired saccade performance in individuals with concussion history.
• Saccade test results can serve as biomarkers for concussion.
• Findings support the use of eye tracking for vision rehabilitation strategies post-concussion.