Mild-to-Moderate Traumatic Brain Injury: A Review with Focus on the Visual System

Abstract

Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) is a major global public health problem. Neurological damage from TBI may be mild, moderate, or severe and occurs both immediately at the time of impact (primary injury) and continues to evolve afterwards (secondary injury). In mild (m)TBI, common symptoms are headaches, dizziness and fatigue. Visual impairment is especially prevalent. Insomnia, attentional deficits and memory problems often occur. Neuroimaging methods for the management of TBI include computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging. The location and the extent of injuries determine the motor and/or sensory deficits that result. Parietal lobe damage can lead to deficits in sensorimotor function, memory, and attention span. The processing of visual information may be disrupted, with consequences such as poor hand-eye coordination and balance. TBI may cause lesions in the occipital or parietal lobe that leave the TBI patient with incomplete homonymous hemianopia. Overall, TBI can interfere with everyday life by compromising the ability to work, sleep, drive, read, communicate and perform numerous activities previously taken for granted. Treatment and rehabilitation options available to TBI sufferers are inadequate and there is a pressing need for new ways to help these patients to optimize their functioning and maintain productivity and participation in life activities, family and community.

Comment on Rauchman et al. Mild-to-Moderate Traumatic Brain Injury: A Review with Focus on the Visual System. Neurol. Int. 2022, 14, 453–470

“…This letter is regarding the article, “Mild-to-Moderate Traumatic Brain Injury: A Review with Focus on the Visual System” [ 1 ], which we read with great interest. The article was published in the Neurology International journal, Volume 14, on 30 May 2022.…”

“…This article was a review and clearly should not expand too extensively, yet studies have shown that convergence insufficiency (CI) is prevalent in at least 47% of TBI [ 2 ] or concussion [ 3 ] (a mild form of TBI, which accounts for 80% of the U.S. recognized cases patients [ 1 ]), but this was not mentioned save for a brief comment to check vergences.…”