Veterans must often overcome excruciating emotional and physical pain
when they return to civilian life. Sometimes the damage is obvious, but
other times much less so, hurting the body from the inside-out.
Traumatic
brain injury (TBI) is an all-too-common battlefield ailment, and one
that needs to be examined thoroughly for a multitude of side effects. A study published this week in Optometry and Vision Science
details the devastating effects of traumatic brain injury, in terms of
visual symptoms and abnormal vision function, and urges those affected
by TBI to undergo a proper examination to assess the damage.
What Is Traumatic Brain Injury?
A
traumatic brain injury can occur in several ways. The study authors
compared Iraq and Afghanistan war veterans suffering from blast-related
TBI (from mines, explosive devices, etc.) to patients with non-blast
related TBI (like one would experience after being in a car crash).
While the aim of the study was to diagnose the rate of vision problems
in blast-related versus non blast-related TBI, vision impairment was
present in both groups.
The TBI patients had both vision
problems and difficulty reading. Light sensitivity was more prevalent in
cases of blast-related TBI, and saccadic dysfunction (fast, shifting
eye movements) were more common in non blast-related cases.
What Are the Vision-related Symptoms of TBI?
The study authors identified a range of visual symptoms among the injured vets, including:
- vision dysfunction, likely caused by damage to the central nervous system, which affected both patient groups
- strabismus (crossed eyes)
- saccadic (eye movement) dysfunction
- oculomotor (eye movement nerve) dysfunction
- reading problems, complaints, and deficits
- blurred vision
- vergence (when the eyes move in opposite directions)
How Can I Protect Myself from Traumatic Brain Injury?
TBI
doesn’t just affect those on the battlefield. According to the Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention, on average, 1.7 million people
experience a traumatic brain injury in the United States each year. "TBI
can take place in any setting and can happen to anyone," according to
the study authors.
You can take simple precautions to help
ensure that you're protected against TBI. But no matter how the injury
occurs, brain examination after the fact is crucial.
“Because of
the high prevalence of subjective visual complaints and oculomotor
dysfunctions in the TBI patients in the current study, as well as in
previous studies, a comprehensive vision examination should be conducted
after brain injury, regardless of injury type or severity,” the
researchers advise.
To protect yourself and your family from injury:
- Wear appropriate head protection when playing sports or in places where objects may fall, such as construction sites.
- Take necessary precautions and follow instructions during natural disasters. Take cover and protect your head from explosions and their secondary effects, including shrapnel and glass.
- Non-blast TBI is common in collisions such as car accidents. Always wear your seatbelt to stay in place in the event of a crash.
More Resources:
Former NFL Stars Have a Higher Rate of Depression, Dementia
New Oxygen Chamber Revives the Brain Years After Injury
Men as Mice: NFL Brains Shed Light on Long-term Sports Risks
DARPA's Wound Stasis Foam Stops Internal Bleeding and Saves Lives
