Concussion detection using a commercially available eye tracker

Abstract

The brain is amazingly complex, and the effects of a brain injury can vary widely. The injury can produce cognitive, sensory or physical impairments; most are amenable to rehabilitation. Some symptoms may appear right away, while others may not show up for days or weeks after the concussion. Disconjugate eye movements have been associated with traumatic brain injury since ancient times. Concussions usually affect brain's neural network, which in its turn affects the visual response time. In a concussion, a few things are typically tested; one being balance and the other is attention. Due to the limitations of commercial and noncommercial eye tracking methods, this paper suggests a new design to overcome existing limitations by implementing a non-invasive eye-tracking test that provides a quantitative representation of attention using precise measurements of eye gaze position relative to target stimulus. The suggested design will support rapid, reliable recording, viewing and analyzing of eye movement impairment using Tobii eye tracking technology. This technology, characterized by its low cost, lightweight, and accuracy will give sports physicians an easy diagnostic solution against sports injuries. The system will track the patient's eyes while following a certain pattern and compare the results obtained against a baseline to assess severity of the trauma. This device may be used at clinics, playing fields and battlefields.