A quick 13-second eye test could help doctors predict whether patients with severe brain injuries are likely to regain consciousness. Researchers found that a little-known part of the pupil’s response to light, called the late light-off response (LOR), was linked to improvements in consciousness seven days later. In contrast, standard ICU pupil tests failed to predict recovery. The study analyzed 250 patients with traumatic and non-traumatic brain injuries and suggests that this simple bedside test may reveal the brain’s recovery potential before clinical signs appear. Although larger studies are still needed, this promising approach could improve patient monitoring and guide treatment decisions in intensive care units.
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