The diagnostic accuracy of EyeGuide Focus testing for concussion in elite male Rugby players

Area of Science:

• Sports Medicine
• Neurology
• Ophthalmology

Background:

• Head impacts in elite rugby can affect smooth pursuit eye movements.
• The EyeGuide Focus system offers a portable method for assessing visual tracking.
• Concussion detection in athletes remains a critical challenge.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of the EyeGuide Focus system for detecting concussion in elite rugby players.
• To compare EyeGuide measurements between concussed and non-concussed athletes.
• To assess the utility of visual tracking as a biomarker for concussion in sports.

Main Methods:

• A prospective diagnostic case-control study was conducted during the United Rugby Championship.
• Blinded EyeGuide assessments were performed by independent assessors.
• Concussion diagnosis was confirmed by team doctors, serving as the reference standard.

Main Results:

• EyeGuide scores showed no significant difference between concussed (n=55) and non-concussed (n=207) players.
• The median EyeGuide scores were similar across groups (20,120 vs 21,522).
• The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (c-index) was 0.46, indicating poor discrimination.

Conclusions:

• EyeGuide Focus scores did not differentiate concussed from non-concussed elite rugby players.
• The system demonstrated limited diagnostic accuracy for concussion detection in this cohort.
• Further research may be needed to explore alternative or complementary diagnostic tools.