Sports-Related Concussion: The Eyes Have It

Concussion is a form of mild traumatic brain injury (TBI) owing to structural, metabolic and functional changes involving white mater tracts of the central nervous system in the absence of macroscopic findings. Sports-related concussion is a rapidly evolving condition stimulating interest among lay and scientific communities. 

Recent studies have shown a high rate of under reporting of concussion signs and symptoms by athletes and side line personnel. Accordingly, reliable and validated testing strategies are necessary to insure timely detection and removal from play for individuals suspected of concussion. Vision and visual motor problems are commonly reported among athletes following concussion. This is to be expected as it is estimated that approximately 50% of the brain is devoted to vision and visual motor processing. As such, testing of vision and ocular motility function are critical to the evaluation of a concussed individual.