Eye Tests Detect Brain Trauma Decades Post-Concussion

Study finds veterans with concussions show subtle brain function differences years later

Published on Mar. 3, 2026

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A study from researchers at the CU Anschutz Marcus Institute for Brain Health suggests that veterans with concussions may continue to show subtle but measurable brain function differences more than a decade after their injury. Researchers found these differences can be detected through specialized eye movement testing.

Why it matters

Mild traumatic brain injuries are common among military service members, athletes, and civilians, but the long-term effects can be difficult to detect. This study indicates that objective eye movement testing may provide clinicians with an additional tool to better understand ongoing cognitive concerns and more precisely tailor rehabilitation strategies for those who continue to experience subtle effects from concussions.

The details

The study evaluated 78 military veterans, including 38 with a history of mild traumatic brain injury and 40 without. Participants completed a series of eye movement tasks and cognitive tests designed to measure executive function of attention, processing speed and self-control. Researchers found that veterans with prior concussions were more likely to demonstrate slower and less accurate eye movements along with reduced performance on certain attention-based tasks. Some of these differences were still measurable more than 10 years after the original injury.

  • The findings were recently published in the Journal of Neuro-Ophthalmology.

The players

CU Anschutz Marcus Institute for Brain Health

A research institute at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus that focuses on brain health.

Jeffrey Hebert, PhD, PT

The lead investigator of the study and an associate professor at the CU Anschutz School of Medicine and director of research for the CU Anschutz Marcus Institute for Brain Health.

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What they’re saying

“The eyes are directly connected to brain networks that control attention, information processing and decision-making. By studying how someone's eyes move during a cognitively demanding task, we can detect subtle brain changes that might not appear on a standard bedside exam or brain scan.”

— Jeffrey Hebert, Associate Professor, CU Anschutz School of Medicine; Director of Research, CU Anschutz Marcus Institute for Brain Health (Mirage News)

“Even when someone feels recovered, their brain may still be working differently behind the scenes, especially during visually demanding tasks and in busy environments. Objective eye movement testing gives us a measurable way to assess these often covert problems.”

— Jeffrey Hebert, Associate Professor, CU Anschutz School of Medicine; Director of Research, CU Anschutz Marcus Institute for Brain Health (Mirage News)

What’s next

Future studies will explore whether incorporating cognitively challenging eye movement testing into routine concussion evaluations could help clinicians better identify traumatic brain injury, track recovery and guide treatment decisions.

The takeaway

This study indicates that objective eye movement testing may provide clinicians with an additional tool to better understand the long-term cognitive effects of concussions and more precisely tailor rehabilitation strategies for those who continue to experience subtle brain changes years after their injury.