Understanding and Treating TBI-Associated Photophobia with Botulinum Toxin Type A and Its Impact on Visual Function
Abstract
It is estimated that up to 19% of U.S. Veterans may have traumatic brain injury (TBI), with over 260,000 Operation Iraqi Freedom/Operation Enduring Freedom Veterans diagnosed with the condition. TBI can impart devastating lifelong consequences. Photophobia, or extreme sensitivity to light, is one of the most distressing as its occurrence results in high morbidity without effective treatment. Individuals most severely affected become prisoners in their own homes due to intolerance to even small amounts of light. Even in less severe cases, most individuals have significant functional limitations and often require sunglasses indoors and outdoors. There are few therapeutic options for individuals with photophobia, beyond the use of tinted lenses. We have focused our investigation on understanding and treating TBI-associated photophobia and its impact on visual function. Specifically, our research topic includes studying whether Botulinum Toxin Type A (BoNT-A) will promote sustained functional recovery during the chronic phase of injury. Given our interest in photophobia, we have selected the fiscal year 2022 VRP Investigator-Initiated Research Award Focus Area to investigate the pathobiology underlying TBI-associated visual dysfunction and its treatment.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Jan 04, 2024
- Source ID
- HT94252310608
Entities
People
- Anat Galor
Organizations
- United States Army
- University of Miami