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MWells Thesis Final.pdf (1.58 MB)

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Daily Light Exposure in Individuals with Photophobia After Head Injury

Wells, Megan P
http://orcid.org/0000-0001-9041-8598
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1681938113270258

Abstract Details

2023, Master of Science, Ohio State University, Vision Science.
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is the leading cause of disability, morbidity, and mortality around the world. TBI can cause both short and long-term problems with brain function, including problems within the visual system. This leads to functional deficits in both the afferent and efferent visual pathways. A common visual complaint following TBI is photophobia. Photophobia, otherwise known as extreme sensitivity to light, is a potentially debilitating symptom whose definitive mechanism has not been elucidated. There is some evidence implicating intrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglion cells (ipRGCs), a small subset of retinal ganglion cells with a peak spectral sensitivity around 480 nm (blue light spectrum), in the etiology of photophobia. As ipRGCs are most sensitive to blue light, I hypothesized that individuals with TBI-associated photophobia avoid blue light-rich environments during their daily life activities. To test this hypothesis, individuals with TBI-associated photophobia were given Actiwatch Spectrum activity monitors that measured activity levels, sleep and wake cycles, and light exposure. Data were collected for 14 days, then the light exposure levels for these case participants were analyzed and compared to control participants without prior TBI. Red, green, and blue light exposure levels were evaluated in cases compared to controls, as well as green/blue light exposure ratios and green/red light exposure ratios. Time spent outdoors and sleep performance were also evaluated. No statistically significant differences were found in exposure to any of the light types between cases and controls, though cases appeared to take a longer time to fall asleep than controls. These results did not support the hypothesis that individuals with TBI-associated photophobia avoid blue light-rich environments. Further research is needed to fully understand the role of ipRGCs in mediating TBI-related photophobia.
Andrew Hartwick (Advisor)
Donald Mutti (Committee Member)
Nicklaus Fogt (Committee Member)
65 p.
Health Sciences
traumatic brain injury; TBI; intrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglion cells; ipRGCs; photophobia; light sensitivity

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Wells, M. P. (2023). Daily Light Exposure in Individuals with Photophobia After Head Injury [Master's thesis, Ohio State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1681938113270258

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Wells, Megan. Daily Light Exposure in Individuals with Photophobia After Head Injury. 2023. Ohio State University, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1681938113270258.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Wells, Megan. "Daily Light Exposure in Individuals with Photophobia After Head Injury." Master's thesis, Ohio State University, 2023. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1681938113270258

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

osu1681938113270258
145
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This open access ETD is published by The Ohio State University and OhioLINK.