Guidelines focus on vision disorders in children with concussions
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The American Academy of Ophthalmology has co-authored a policy statement to provide guidance to pediatricians on vision disorders after concussions in children, according to a press release.
The policy statement and an accompanying clinical report were written with the American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus, the American Association of Certified Orthoptists and the American Academy of Pediatrics.
According to the release, approximately 1.4 million U.S. children are affected by concussions every year, and while most who report visual symptoms such as trouble reading, blurred vision, difficulty focusing and eye fatigue will recover on their own within 4 weeks, up to one-third may need to see a specialist for assessment and treatment.
The policy statement and clinical report, published in Pediatrics, aim to help pediatricians identify concussion symptoms early and give the proper treatment. The guidelines include working with specialists with experience in comprehensive concussion management, such as those in ophthalmology, sports medicine, neurology, neuropsychology and physiatry. Regarding vision therapy, “There remains a lack of high-quality evidence to support isolated treatment of visual symptoms, such as double vision or blurred vision, after concussion with vision therapy; additional study is needed,” the release said.
“Early identification of children who need help and getting them appropriate care can help reduce the negative effects of concussion,” Christie L. Morse, MD, FAAP, a pediatric ophthalmologist and reviewer of the statement and clinical report, said in the release. “This report is important because pediatricians play a significant role in identifying children who will need school accommodations and management of the injury throughout recovery or even extra care from a specialist.”
References:
- Master CL, et al. Pediatrics. 2022;doi:10.1542/peds.2021-056047.
- Master CL, et al. Pediatrics. 2022;doi:10.1542/peds.2021-056048.
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