Summary
Automated pupillometry reveals statistically significant changes in the pupil light reflex following sport-related concussion in rugby league athletes, suggesting it could serve as an objective diagnostic and recovery-monitoring tool. Key parameters — neurological pupil index, resting pupil diameter, and minimum pupil diameter — remained significantly different from non-concussed athletes across the full 10-day monitoring period, indicating persistent neurological disruption.
Key Findings
- Neurological pupil index was significantly lower in concussed athletes vs. non-concussed athletes (p = 0.0002).
- Absolute change scores for resting pupil diameter (p = 0.001) and minimum pupil diameter (p < 0.0001) were significantly larger in the concussed group.
- Resting and minimum pupil diameter remained statistically different at all three recovery windows: 0–3 days, 4–6 days, and 7–10 days post-concussion (p < 0.05).
- Maximum constriction velocity was significantly different only at 0–3 days post-concussion (p = 0.04), normalizing at later time points.
- Study sample: 16 concussed athletes and 9 non-concussed control athletes from a National Rugby League club (n=55 total enrolled).
Categories
Eye Health & Vision: The study examines the pupillary light reflex (PLR) as a diagnostic biomarker for concussion, directly measuring pupil constriction parameters using automated pupillometry.
The Science of Light: The study quantifies pupil light reflex parameters including neurological pupil index, resting/minimum pupil diameter, and maximum constriction velocity as objective physiological measures.
Author(s)
D Brown
Publication Year
2018
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