title: Photosensitivity in mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI): a retrospective analysis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine whether photosensitivity (PS) changes over time and, if so, what factors may be related to the change; furthermore, to determine whether tint density changes over time, all in mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI).
  
  
  METHODS
  A retrospective analysis of 62 patient records (aged 18-40 years) with mTBI and PS was conducted. All charts were obtained from the SUNY/College of Optometry clinics from 2004-2011.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Fifty per cent demonstrated reduced PS over time, with most occurring after year 1 post-injury (40%). Promotion of PS reduction appears to be associated with the lack of spectacle tint usage (p = 0.01) and the use of contact lenses (p = 0.03). Inhibition of PS reduction appears to be associated with tinted lenses (p = 0.06), hyperacusis (p = 0.03), dry eye (p = 0.04), migraines (p = 0.03) and loss of consciousness at the time of injury (p = 0.05). Concerning tint density changes over time, 71% (p = 0.002) maintained the same degree over time, while 27% (p = 0.002) reduced and 2% waxed and waned.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Neural adaptation to PS appears to be a long-term process. Tint usage may act to inhibit this adaptive process, while the use of contact lenses may act to promote it. These findings may provide guidance in the clinical management of photosensitivity in the mTBI population.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological and Vision Sciences, SUNY College of Optometry , New York, NY , USA.
authors.forename: James Q
authors.initials: JQ
authors.lastname: Truong
authors.forename: Kenneth J
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Ciuffreda
authors.forename: M H Esther
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Han
authors.forename: Irwin B
authors.initials: IB
authors.lastname: Suchoff
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology*; D003116:Color; D003261:Contact Lenses; D015352:Dry Eye Syndromes; D004867:Equipment Design; D005139:Eyeglasses; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D012001:Hyperacusis; D008297:Male; D008881:Migraine Disorders; D010787:Photosensitivity Disorders / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D020127:Recovery of Function; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014792:Visual Acuity
keywords: Contact lenses; neural adaptation; photophobia; photosensitivity; tinted lenses; traumatic brain injury; visual discomfort