Development of a Portable Virtual Reality Device to Diagnose and Monitor Traumatic Brain Injury by Measuring Pupil Responses

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are investigating new, accurate, and non-invasive ways to identify and monitor head injuries like concussions. This study looks at how pupil constriction, in response to light, reflects brain activity changes and is linked to sleep problems. The goal is to explore the use of virtual reality VR goggles to monitor traumatic brain injury TBI by analyzing how pupils react to colorful light patterns. Participants include healthy adults, patients with combat-related mild to moderate TBI, and age- and gender-matched soldiers without TBI who have suffered trauma. Each participant will undergo a full eye exam, including tests for eye pressure and structure, vision clarity, color vision, and a VR-based pupilloperimetry test. This test uses VR goggles that show brief, low-intensity colored light stimuli while the headset camera records pupil reactions without causing glare. During the study, participants will be assessed using the VR device to measure their pupil light reflex at baseline. The eye exams and VR tests help researchers objectively evaluate neural function and potential signs of head trauma. The study lasts from April 2026 until December 2027, and participants pupil responses will be closely monitored to support diagnosis and tracking of TBI.

Portable VR-based Chromatic Pupilloperimeter for Diagnosis and Monitoring of Traumatic Brain Injury