The eyes have it: Study of sports-related concussions to focus on retina

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that 20 percent of the annual 1.7 million concussions sustained in the U.S. are sports related—and it reaches far beyond these numbers as a global issue.

Concussion studies are ongoing, with current diagnosis relying on clinical signs and symptoms. However, no imaging technique has been validated as a diagnostic tool for concussions.

In hopes to change that, the Institute of Technology Carlow in Ireland launched a first of its kind pilot study, which will use the retina of the eye as a potential assessment tool. Camogie players from Kilkenny’s title-winning team (in the sport that's similar to hurling) will be part of the 200 participants joining together to take part in the study.

Clare Lodge, a physiotherapist and lecturer at IT Carlow, will lead the two-year study funded by the Irish Research Council.

The main focus of the study will be on ocular metrics, monitoring intraocular pressure measurements and retinal imagery in sports participants  from 18 to 24 years old. 

"We know that the retina is an extension of the brain and we are aware that studies investigating shaken baby syndrome have identified intraocular hemorrhages (internal eye bleeding) that may precede both the clinical and radiologic (scanning) recognition of brain tissue traum," said Lodge in an article published by RTE. "Therefore, if we can explore and identify whether there are retinal changes post blunt head trauma this will pave the way for further studies."