Impaired smooth-pursuit and/or saccades after whiplash are prognostic for persistent disability at how many months?

• A. 6 months
• B. 8 months
• C. 12 months
• D. 24 months

Answer: (B)

Impaired smooth-pursuit and/or saccades after whiplash reflect cervical sensorimotor dysfunction that often accompanies persistent disability as recovery progresses. These oculomotor abnormalities have been shown to predict ongoing problems around eight months post-injury, making eight months the most reliable mid-term prognostic point. They capture longer-lasting disruption in how the eyes, neck, and vestibular system coordinate, which tends to become evident in mid-term outcomes. Shorter-term prognoses around six months are less anchored to these findings, while projections at twelve or twenty-four months don’t align as specifically with this early oculomotor pattern.