How do pupils look after a concussion

University of Washington researchers are developing the first smartphone app that is capable of objectively detecting concussion and other traumatic brain injuries in the field: on the sidelines of a sports game, on a battlefield or in the home of an elderly person prone to falls. This pupillary light reflex has long been used to assess whether a patient has severe traumatic brain injury, and recent research finds it can be useful in detecting milder concussions — opening up an entirely new avenue for screening.

The team of UW computer scientists, electrical engineers and medical researchers has demonstrated that PupilScreen can be used to detect instances of significant traumatic brain injury. A broader clinical study this fall will put PupilScreen in the hands of coaches, emergency medical technicians, doctors and others to gather more data on which pupillary response characteristics are most helpful in determining ambiguous cases of concussion. The researchers hope to release a commercially available version of PupilScreen within two years.

PupilScreen can currently distinguish between the pupillary light reflex of healthy people shown above and patients with severe traumatic brain injury. Additional studies will help determine what characteristics are most useful in detecting milder concussions. As described in a paper to be presented Sept. Often, patients experience ongoing fatigue, causing them to sleep during the day and resulting in nighttime insomnia.

These activities may make symptoms worse, especially in the first few days after injury. If symptoms become worse, the activity should be avoided. Once individuals become less symptomatic, however, it is important to get back to normal activities that do not worsen symptoms, including screen time.

This can be harmful to the recovery process and could even prolong it. Call us if you have questions on what to do if you do have a concussion. A person with a concussion always loses consciousness. Avoid any activity that will put your child at risk for another head injury until the brain heals. A repeat injury before the brain heals can slow recovery and cause long-term problems. Most children return to school in 2 to 5 days following a concussion.

It is best for them to stay home if symptoms are bad enough to prevent learning or they cannot make it through at least a half day of school. You will know your child has recovered when they can do regular activities without having concussion symptoms. Passenger safety. Use proper child passenger restraints car seat or booster seat for age and size of child. Street safety. Children should be taught to play where it is safe and supervised.

Most children can safely cross the street alone at about 10 years of age. Skip to Content. Urgent Care.

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