New eye tests to help detect concussion

World Rugby has announced another trial of technology to help detect concussions.

With a group of around 150 players having accused the governing bodies of negligence in their handling of brain injuries, a new study of eye movement is being introduced. It follows ongoing testing of mouthguards to measure head impact and biomarkers in saliva.

Campaign groups such as Progressive Rugby, however, are callwasps ing for immediate action alongside these trials amid alarming anecdotal evidence of former players suffering early onset dementia.

Kyran Bracken last week became the second of England’s 2003 World Cup-winning squad to admit to memory lapses and has warned of “devastating early onset dementia” through the sport. “Ex-players have been really struggling,” he said. “Some are suicidal. Some are struggling with day-to-day chores. I have been struggling – I had to approach the Rugby Players’ Association because I was forgetting the codes to get into my house.”

The new eye-tracking technology will be used in some competitions alongside the sport’s existing head injury assessment process and as part of the return-to-play protocol.

Studies have suggested oculomotor function is altered at the time a concussion is suffered, or shortly after, and there is hope the technology will pick up any changes. “We believe oculomotor screening examination has the potential to boost the identification and management of concussions by identifying potential abnormalities,” said Dr Eanna Falvey, chief medical officer for World Rugby.

Two technology providers, Eyeguide and Neuroflex, will be involved in the trials but details of the competitions in which they will be used have yet to be confirmed.

Bracken, who is part of the Progressive Rugby group, said it was “scandalous” that the minimum return-to-play time frame following a concussion had been reduced from three weeks to six days. Bracken wants that increased to at least two weeks, as well as limits on contact training and a further evaluation of what rule changes could be made to minimise risks.