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Visual Symptoms and Referral Patterns for TBI in OIF/OEF Veterans

This study examines the frequency of symptomatic ocular and visual sequelae in Operation Iraqi Freedom/Operation Enduring Freedom veterans with traumatic brain injury (TBI) and investigates the referral patterns for these symptoms. The results suggest that loss of consciousness is the best predictor for the severity of symptoms, and most veterans reporting visual symptoms were appropriately referred to eye clinics. However, there is a higher no-show rate among TBI veterans compared to the normal VA eye clinic population.

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Visual Symptoms and Referral Patterns for TBI in OIF/OEF Veterans

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  1. Visual symptomatology and referral patterns for Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom veterans with traumatic brain injury Ryan Bulson, OD, MS, FAAO; Weon Jun, OD, FAAO; John Hayes, PhD

  2. Aim • Determine frequency of symptomatic ocular and visual sequelae of traumatic brain injury (TBI) in Operation Iraqi Freedom/Operation Enduring Freedom (OIF/OEF) veterans. • Relevance • Advances in protective armor technology and changes in “patterns of war” have created OIF/OEF veteran population with TBI that provides unique challenge to VA healthcare practitioners.

  3. Methods • Conducted retrospective analysis of 100 OIF/OEF veterans with TBI to determine prevalence of ocular and visual complaints. • Referral patterns were also investigated.

  4. Results • Visual symptoms reported in approximately 50% of veterans with TBI. • Loss of consciousness, but not number of deployments or number of blast exposures, was significantly associated with severity of reported visual symptoms. • Most commonly reported symptoms included: • Blurred vision (67%). • Photosensitivity (50%). • Accommodative problems (40%).

  5. Conclusion • Loss of consciousness was best predictor for severity of symptoms. • Most veterans reporting visual symptoms were appropriately referred to eye clinic. • Vast majority were deemed to have had their visual concerns addressed. • However, OIF/OEF veterans with TBI no-showed at double the rate of the normal VA eye clinic population.

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