title: Effect of chromatic filters on visual performance in individuals with mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI): A pilot study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Spectral filters have been used clinically in patients with mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI). However, they have not been formally assessed using objective techniques in this population. Thus, the aim of the present pilot study was to determine the effect of spectral filters on reading performance and visuo-cortical responsivity in adults with mTBI.
  
  
  METHODS
  12 adults with mTBI/concussion were tested. All reported photosensitivity and reading problems. They were compared to 12 visually-normal, asymptomatic adults. There were several test conditions: three luminance-matched control filters (gray neutral density, blue, and red), the patient-selected 'precision tint lens' that provided the most comfort and clarity of text using the Intuitive Colorimeter System, and baseline without any filters. The Visagraph was used to assess reading eye movements and reading speed objectively with each filter. In addition, both the amplitude and latency of the visual-evoked potential (VEP) were assessed with the same filters.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were few significant group differences in either the reading-related parameters or VEP latency for any of the test filter conditions. Subjective improvements were noted in most with mTBI (11/12).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The majority of patients with mTBI chose a tinted filter that resulted in increased visual comfort. While significant findings based on the objective testing were found for some conditions, the subjective results suggest that precision tints should be considered as an adjunctive treatment in patients with mTBI and photosensitivity.
authors.affiliation: SUNY/State College of Optometry, Department of Biological and Vision Sciences, 33 West 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036, USA. Electronic address: vfimreite@sunyopt.edu.
authors.forename: Vanessa
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Fimreite
authors.affiliation: SUNY/State College of Optometry, Department of Biological and Vision Sciences, 33 West 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036, USA.
authors.forename: Kevin T
authors.initials: KT
authors.lastname: Willeford
authors.affiliation: SUNY/State College of Optometry, Department of Biological and Vision Sciences, 33 West 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036, USA.
authors.forename: Kenneth J
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Ciuffreda
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001924:Brain Concussion / Q000150:complications*; D005074:Evoked Potentials, Visual / Q000502:physiology; D005133:Eye Movements / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D005374:Filtration / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D020795:Photophobia / Q000209:etiology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011932:Reading; D014786:Vision Disorders / Q000209:etiology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Eye movements; Filtros espectrales; Lectura; Lesión cerebral traumática leve; Mild traumatic brain injury; Movimientos oculares; Potencial visualmente evocado (VEP); Reading; Spectral filters; Visagraph; Visual-evoked potential (VEP)