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Binocular issues show improvement with neuro-optometric rehabilitation
In a 12-month case study follow-up, a patient with widespread vision issues after a suspected concussion experienced significant improvement in all oculomotor metrics, according to research from Melissa Hunfalvay, PhD, AASP-CC, APA, AOA, USPTA1, co-founder and chief science officer of RightEye.
The case study examined clinical assessments and eye tracking to monitor patient change over time after extensive vision therapy from a suspected concussion, according to the study published in Translational Biomedicine.
The 65-year old female patient presented to a Nebraska hospital in February 2014 after a car accident 48 hours prior. An optometrist determined that her binocular disparity, binocular coordination, eye alignment, depth perception and field of view were significantly below normative standards.
Corrective prisms were prescribed and engaged primary visual areas of the brain and optimized the visual processing system, according to Hunfalvay.
The patient completed a checkerboard pattern with corrective lens and no prisms, then, after a 30-minute break, prisms were added as a clip-on to the patient’s lenses and the task was repeated.
In January 2016, the patient began using RightEye, a digitized, eye-tracked form of the Vestibular Ocular Motor Screening assessment, to test oculomotor behavior.
In January 2017, the patient was again tested using the RightEye assessment, and she showed marked improvement with all metrics moving in the direction of population norms, Hunfalvay wrote.
“The impact of using neurooptometric rehabilitation for lingering binocular issues shows significant differences when using this method and is one option for other patients who have long-term binocular issues from concussion,” Hunfalvay said in an interview with Primary Care Optometry News. – by Abigail Sutton
Disclosure: Hunfalvay is the chief science officer and co-founder of RightEye.