What is the EyeBOX device?
Here at HappyNeuron, we always have an eye out for the latest scientific findings and technology that may be useful to clinicians and their patients. We’re very interested in the EyeBOX device, which is a new tool for assessing concussions.
What is EyeBOX?
Developed by Oculogica, the EyeBOX is an FDA-approved assessment device that tracks a patient’s eye movements. It then determines the likelihood that they have a concussion. The EyeBOX is non-invasive, easy to use, and only takes 4 minutes. This tool is also reimbursable.
It does not rely on a patient’s literacy level. It can be used to assess children as well. The recommended age range to assess with this tool is ages 5 to 67.
Essentially, the EyeBOX improves upon the “follow my finger” exercise that medical experts often use with patients who may have a concussion. The tool is able to analyze patient’s eye movements and turns them into measurable data. This makes the diagnosis less subjective, which is great for both doctors and patients.
The importance of assessing concussions
Concussions are happening more frequently among adolescents than they used to. According to the CDC, in 2014 approximately 2.5 million emergency room visits in the US were due to concussions.
People who have suffered from a TBI may have deficits in certain cognitive skills. These can include memory, executive functioning, attention, language, and social cognition functions such as emotion regulation. Because of this, it’s very important to diagnose TBIs early on and seek treatment as soon as possible. People can often recover from a TBI and continue to live well, and early assessment and treatment can help decrease the risk of long-term complications.
At HappyNeuron, we offer a number of digital exercises for Traumatic Brain Injury. These exercises may help patients to exercise and strengthen the various cognitive skills that have been affected.
Conclusion
The EyeBOX is a great device for clinicians such as Occupational Therapists and Speech-Language Pathologists to know about. This new technology may lead clinicians to have greater confidence in the accuracy of a patient’s diagnosis and how severe it is. With this knowledge, you can be sure you are offering appropriate treatment. We hope this article is helpful for clinicians working with patients who have concussions, and individuals who are seeking answers about concussion assessment and treatment.
