Concussion eye tests are eliminating patient influences

x ray picture

Concussions are almost impossible to objectively diagnose, and with so many sports being so physical, concussion injuries are a rather common occurrence. Professional sports give players the added pressure of thinking they need to be in the game at all times, no matter what their injury may be; there is money, respect, and playing time at stake. According to doctors, current concussion tests are susceptible to influence from players who do not want to be diagnosed because they want to keep playing. There is a fear that the flaws in these tests are being used to misdiagnose an actual concussion injury so that the player can return to the playing field, even though they have suffered a traumatic head injury. However, new research could provide the one thing that sports doctors and scientists need to make concussion testing protocol cheat proof.

An eye test has been developed that may be able to detect the exact symptoms that are presented as a result of a concussion by simply measuring the pupil’s response to light. If this method is determined to be effective, it could completely change the way concussion testing is done, resulting in a more precise and exact diagnosis, and protecting players health.

Flaws in Current Testing:

Medical sports professionals find that current concussion testing for players relies too heavily on the player’s feedback. The current protocol for concussion testing is to take the player aside that has experienced the head trauma, and ask them how they are feeling and performing memory and balance testing consisting of standing on one leg, and walking in a straight line; compares closely with a field sobriety test. With these tests, the diagnosis can be determined by how the player says they feel at the time, and whether or not they feel like being diagnosed with a concussion or not.

The Simple but Effective Eye Test:

Researchers from the Australian National University, over the past 10 years, have developed a device that can measure minute changes in the response of pupils and how they react to light. Our visual system is vulnerable to the impacts of a concussion and is connected to half the brain’s circuitry. The eye test can be performed in a matter of minutes, which is crucial during a professional sports game, and can deliver immediate results of whether or not the player is experiencing a concussion or not. The player will look into a screen, and on that screen will be a series of lights. The player however will not be aware of these lights on the screen, and there is a camera to measure how their pupils are reacting to the lights. Based on the results, team doctors can determine if the player has suffered a brain injury like a concussion.

soccer field

Invision Optical takes pride in providing our valued customers with information about new advancements in technology and practises within the optometry industry, and if you would like more information about Invision Optical, please feel free to continue browsing through our website or you can contact us at 905-842-9444 or at info@invisionoptical.ca

Share:

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn

MORE ARTICLES

Our Hours

Monday – Friday: 11am – 6pm

Saturday – 10am – 5pm

Sunday – Closed

Our Services

Adult Eye Exam

At Invision Eye Clinic we recommend that every adult from the age of 19 to 65 have a comprehensive eye exam every year. As we get older, there is a higher chance to develop ocular conditions such as cataracts,  glaucoma, and macular degeneration. For this reason, an annual eye exam is all the more important for adults over the age of 65. An annual eye exam is also recommended for anyone with a systemic condition like diabetes or multiple sclerosis where there can be a significant impact on vision and ocular health.

Our doctors strive to provide outstanding eye care with visual solutions that are custom designed to meet each patients’ individual needs. Our experienced staff will then work one on one with each patient to find the glasses and lens options that best suits their respective lifestyle.

Child Eye Exam

At Invision Eye Clinic we recommend children have their first eye exam by the age of 3, and then yearly thereafter. With every child, we strive to support them with their visual development and help them meet the visual demands of the world around them.

During your child’s eye exam, our doctors will assess them for near-sightedness (myopia), far-sightedness (hyperopia), an eye turn (strabismus), lazy eye (amblyopia) and other ocular pathologies. We will also assess your child’s eye movement (tracking) skills, and the coordination of their eyes while they are performing visual tasks.

It is important to remember that your child does not need to be able to read or to identify letters to have an eye examination. Our tests are designed for all ages and provide vital information about your child’s eye health.

Dry Eye

Dry eyes can show up in various different forms; red eyes, watery eyes, itchy eyes, tired or uncomfortable vision. When the delicate balance of tears on the eye is unbalanced, a cascade of these symptoms can present. Crustiness around the eyes in the morning and chronic styes can also be traced back to a dry eye problem. The impact of our habits and environment cannot be overlooked. Our habits, environment and changes in season can all play a role in severity of our symptoms.

At Invision Eye Clinic, each exam includes an evaluation to not only identify potential dry eye, but to also investigate the possible causes and factors that have contributed to it.

For patients who are suffering from more advanced cases of dry eye, we offer in depth dry eye testing that investigates the root causes of the disease. We can develop a treatment plan that will involve both the management of symptoms and a preventative maintenance protocol.

Diabetes

Diabetes is a disease affecting how the body uses or produces insulin, a hormone that controls blood glucose (sugar) levels. Those suffering from diabetes are at risk of developing various other health issues, including impacts to their vision and eye health.

At our clinic, we implement the latest OCT technology to monitor and assess the impact of diabetes in the eye so that vision can be kept at optimal levels. Our diabetic eye exams not only include digital retinal imaging to look for diabetic changes, but also an internal sub-surface scan to create a detailed map of the eye. When required, our doctors can also use OCT angiography to map out individual blood vessels in the eye to look for even the earliest signs of damage from diabetes.

Glaucoma

Glaucoma is a slow progressing disease and can often go unnoticed without regular testing. It involves an increase in eye pressure that can slowly damage the optic nerve inside the eye, causing vision loss. If left undiagnosed and untreated, it can easily lead to blindness.

At our clinic, we screen each and every patient with an OCT scan of their optic nerve to assess the risks of glaucoma. For patients who are at risk or who are diagnosed with glaucoma, comprehensive eye exams and visual field tests are crucial alongside more detailed OCT scans.

Glaucoma can be a confusing and stressful disease for patients. At our clinic, our doctors take the time to perform the necessary tests and discuss all the treatment options with our patients.

Eye Wear

At Invision Eye Clinic attention to detail is the key feature in dispensing personalized eyewear suited to your visual needs. Prior to dispensing, each order is inspected by our opticians to ensure accuracy & quality.

From Hand Made Boutique Eyewear to big names in the fashion industry, we carry a wide variety of colours and styles to fit every age group and taste. We make sure that our inventory is fresh and current throughout the year.

Contact Lenses

At Invision Eye Clinic our doctors can help you find the contact lenses that right for your eyes. Whether you have an active lifestyle, don’t like the look or feel of glasses, or just want something part time for social occasions, our optometrists are here to help.

First time contact lens wearer? Worried if contacts are the right solution for you? Rest assured, at Invision Eye Clinic, we take the time to perform an individual trial fit of each contact lens to make sure we have the right lens for each patient. We have a wide selection of contact lens brands and styles, and are confident that we can meet your visual needs.

Our Technology

At Invision Eye Clinic, we strive to provide the highest level of eye care. To help us achieve this goal, we have invested in state-of-the-art technology. Our integrated electronic medical records enable you to book your appointments online and have your third-party medical insurance submitted electronically at the time of your visit. All our patient records are stored using encrypted security measures and in compliance to the privacy policies within the health industry.

Our OCT retinal imaging camera takes a detailed scan of your retina allowing for early detection of many retinal diseases. Retinal imaging also allows for making close comparisons and watching for trend patterns between scans so that changes in the eyes can be monitored over time. The OCT has enabled eye care professionals to detect and monitor the subtle changes that can occur in diabetic retinopathy, hypertensive retinopathy, macular degeneration, glaucoma, retinal toxicity, and multiple sclerosis.

Visual field testing is done at our clinic through the world of virtual reality. With our portable VR headset, we are able to accurately and quickly perform all types of visual field tests. Alongside this, the wearable technology also allows us to perform screenings, colour vision, and pupillometry measurements right in the headset.