A University of Cincinnati neurologist has discovered colored glasses effectively calm the brain down after a concussion and provide relief for the patient.
"While sunglasses can provide some relief, they are not very practical indoors or in low light environments," says Joe Clark, professor in the Department of Neurology and Rehabilitation Medicine at the UC College of Medicine.
He found 85 percent of people had relief with blue, green, red and purple glasses and reported no adverse effects.
The glasses were in use at UC's preseason football camp in West Harrison, Indiana. One concussion sufferer was able to do cardio and strength conditioning with colored glasses. He was on the sidelines riding a bike.
Swimmer Enna Selmanovic fell out of bed and got a concussion. She was extremely sensitive to light and couldn't keep her eyes open.
"I wore a teal color," Selmanovic says. "It definitely helped me. It was kind of a like a soothing experience. We tried on red and green. I remember crying because it hurt so bad. But the blue definitely helped."
Besides trial and error of trying them on, Clark says he has a computer program that can scientifically determine which color the brain needs.
"Mentally picture black and red - that's no colors and the color red," Clarke said. "So, if I flash black and red at you and on a computer screen and your brain lights up, then I'm knowing that red is not good for you."
The UC research, published in the Journal of Athletic Training, is free and open to the public. Contact Joe Clark for more information.
Nearly 4 million Americans sustain a concussion or traumatic brain injury every year.
