Article

The purpose of this study was to investigate the long-term visual dysfunction in
patients after blast-induced mild traumatic brain injury (mbTBI) using a
retrospective case series of 31 patients with mbTBI (>12 mo prior) without eye
injuries. Time since mbTBI was 50.5 +/- 19.8 mo. Age at the time of injury was
30.0 +/- 8.3 yr. Mean corrected visual acuity was 20/20. Of the patients, 71% (n
= 22) experienced loss of consciousness; 68% (n = 15) of patients in this
subgroup were dismounted during the blast injury. Overall, 68% (n = 21) of
patients had visual complaints. The most common complaints were photophobia (55%)
and difficulty with reading (32%). Of all patients, 25% were diagnosed with
convergence insufficiency and 23% had accommodative insufficiency. Patients with
more than one mbTBI had a higher rate of visual complaints (87.5%). Asymptomatic
patients had a significantly longer time (62.5 +/- 6.2 mo) since the mbTBI than
symptomatic patients (42.0 +/- 16.4 mo, p < 0.004). Long-term visual dysfunction
after mbTBI is common even years after injury despite excellent distance visual
acuity and is more frequent if more than one incidence of mbTBI occurred. We
recommend obtaining a careful medical history, evaluation of symptoms, and
binocular vision assessment during routine eye examinations in this prepresbyopic
patient population.

Langue : ANGLAIS