Eye Tracking Technology for Concussion Recovery

Eye Tracking and Concussion

A concussion can affect numerous systems within the nervous system and, more often than not, the visual system. Eye movements and vision rely on almost every neurological network in the cortex, brainstem, and cerebellum. Disruption of these networks can cause problems such as smooth pursuit difficulties, light sensitivity, eye pain and strain, difficulty focusing, headaches, balance issues, dizziness and double vision. In many cases, patients may be unaware of their eye movement issues.  Instead, they experience dissociative symptoms as they are unable to relate to their environment.

This makes eye-tracking an incredibly powerful tool for diagnosing and managing concussions.

Over many years working with concussion, I have moved from relying solely on the naked eye and having patients follow my finger to incorporating infrared eye-tracking technology. This technology has increased my awareness of the importance of accurately diagnosing eye movements. However, the accuracy of the equipment I have falls short of providing clinically relevant data for the level of information needed to provide optimal rehabilitation.

Clinically, I tend to see people who haven't recovered through mainstream care pathways and are stuck in the void of post-concussion syndrome. From a diagnostic perspective, this often means there are more complex and subtle nuances to their injury, and being able to extract more specific data about their nervous system is a powerful tool to optimise their rehabilitation.

Following three trips to the USA last year to visit some of the biggest functional neurology clinics in the world and to attend two concussion-related conferences, it further confirmed the imperative of quantifying all eye movements with high-end technology. They all use this equipment.

The two pieces of equipment I’m looking to invest in are:

Interacoustics VisualEyes Video Nystagmography (VNG) 525

Natus ICS Impulse Vestibular Head Impulse Testing (vHIT)

The cost for this equipment is $72,786.72 and $25,104, respectively.

- Dr Louise Bashall, Chiropractor and Functional Neurologist, Auckland, Functional Neurology Hub https://functionalneurology.co.nz/