Concussions are a huge risk in football, and it is important to do anything possible to recognize and diagnose them as soon as possible. The NFL takes concussions seriously, and rightly so. A concussion affects the brain’s ability to focus and react to stimuli. If a player goes back on the field with a concussion, he may have trouble perceiving where another player is, which can lead to collisions and further injury. The NFL has a concussion protocol in place, but a new technology called Eye-Sync just might be a game-changer for spotting concussions.
What Is the Eye-Sync?
Basically, the Eye-Sync is a headset, similar to those used in virtual reality, that will administer tests to the player who may have a concussion. In the past, doctors would diagnose concussions by tracking eye movements. A concussion makes it hard for a person to focus, so if the doctor moved his finger back and forth, the patient would not be able to follow it steadily.
The Eye-Sync uses embedded infrared cameras to track the patient’s pupils as they move. If the pupils jump around, they will know that the patient has a concussion and can administer treatment right away. In addition, the likelihood of a player with a brain injury returning to play and possibly sustaining further, more dire damage will be reduced.
Why Should the NFL Use it?
The answer is simple: the NFL should use it so that they can diagnose concussions quickly. If a player suffers a concussion and doesn’t receive treatment, he may return to the field with a brain injury. There are potentially serious long-term consequences to an untreated brain injury. Not only that, but the player could suffer further damage.
After the FDA cleared the Eye-Sync in 2016, the NBA began using it to detect levels of fatigue in players. In addition, college football teams around the country have started using it. The NFL could benefit greatly by adding the Eye-Sync to its Concussion protocol.