In a policy statement published in Pediatrics, guidance is presented for managing post-concussion visual disorders in children. Christina L. Master, MD, and colleagues developed recommendations for screening, identifying, and initiating clinical management of visual symptoms in this patient population. They note that most children and adolescents with visual symptoms after concussion will recover by 4 weeks; however, a subset do not and should be referred to a specialist. A vision-specific history and thorough visual examination should be completed, including assessment of visual acuity, ocular alignment in all gaze positions, smooth pursuit, saccades, vestibulo ocular reflex, near point of convergence, and accommodation. These deficits may contribute to difficulty returning to play and school, and identifying these problems soon after injury is important so that accommodations can be provided. “Children are not always able to describe their symptoms clearly, and so these screening and diagnostic tools will help guide physicians when evaluating patients with concussions,” Dr. Master said in a statement.
