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BACKGROUND/RATIONALE:
The current study began following an extensive pilot project of some 115 outpatients who completed a vision screen within the the Palo Alto Polytrauma Network Site (PNS) clinic. The pilot data suggested that binocular dysfunction was present in an unexpectedly high percentage of these patients. The population studied had a high rate of dual diagnosis of MTBI and PTSD. PTSD is associated with some visual symptoms, thus it became necessary to try to determine if the visual symptoms seen in an age matched sample of PTSD patients were similar to or different than those seen in a population with MTVI
OBJECTIVE(S):
The primary objective of this study is to determine if the types and rates of binocular dysfunction seen in the on-going MTBI study were unique to that population or whether they are also present in a population diagnosed with PTSD but not MTBI.
METHODS:
The current study is a prospective clinical research trial. Patients are consented in accordance with current VA research and human subject policies prior to their participation. The project attempts to see 75 patients diagnosed with PTSD, but not MTBI. The basic vision screening method has been previously described (Lew, H. L., Poole, J., Vanderploeg, R., Goodrich, G., Dekelboum, S., Guillory, S. B., et al. (2007). Program Development and Defining Characteristics of Returning Military in a VA Polytrauma Network Site. Journal of Rehabilitation Research & Development, 44(7), 1027-1034), however modifications have been made as warranted by additional experience. These modifications will be fully described upon completion of the study.
FINDINGS/RESULTS:
No results at this time.
IMPACT:
Traumatic brain injuries appear to be common injuries associated with deployment of service personnel in Iraq and Afghanistan. Preliminary results suggest that vision loss and visual dysfunction are prevalent in patients of Polytrauma Rehabilitation Centers. Additional preliminary data of PNS out patients suggests that while vision loss is not common, visual dysfunctions occur at unexpectedly high rates. These patients also have a high rate of dual diagnosis of MTBI and PTSD. This study seeks to determine if visual dysfunctions are associated with MTBI, PTSD, or both. The results will lead to a better understanding of the etiology of visual dysfunctions. It will also provide evidence of which populations are at risk of visual dysfunctions and in that way it may assist in determining relevant interventions.
PUBLICATIONS:
None at this time.
DRA:
none
DRE:
none
Keywords:
none
MeSH Terms:
none
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