What a CIRS Eye Test Tells You About Your Health
When Emily first heard about the Visual Contrast Sensitivity (VCS) test, she was skeptical.
How could staring at a screen of blurry lines possibly help explain her overwhelming fatigue, brain fog, and constant aches?
But after years of bouncing between doctors, she was desperate for answers. And despite her initial hesitation, the VCS test became the turning point in her journey. It offered a clear picture of what her body was enduring and led to a diagnosis that finally made sense: Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (CIRS).
The VCS test isn’t just another health gimmick. It’s a powerful, non-invasive tool that can help identify patterns of chronic inflammation caused by biotoxin exposure.
But what does this test really measure, and how does it fit into the larger picture of diagnosing CIRS?
Let’s dive in.
What Is the VCS Test?
The Visual Contrast Sensitivity (VCS) test evaluates your ability to distinguish between shades of grey and patterns at varying contrasts. This test is incredibly sensitive to changes in brain function caused by biotoxins, making it a key diagnostic tool for CIRS.
Note that this is a test that measures brain function. It is not at all similar to what is done at your optometrists’ office. The testing done with your optometrist – known as a visual acuity test – measures your ability to see based on how well you can read the size of a letter on a chart. It’s part of a comprehensive eye exam, but it is not related to the VCS test.
How the VCS Test Works
Biotoxins impair blood flow and oxygen delivery to the brain’s optic nerve, reducing your ability to perceive contrast. The VCS test measures this subtle deficit, offering a window into the effects of inflammation on your central nervous system. Those not dealing with an illness related to biotoxins like CIRS should have no problem passing the VCS test.
The Accuracy of the VCS Test and Symptom Clusters
According to research published on Surviving Mold:
- Combining the VCS test with symptom clusters provides a 98.5% accuracy rate in identifying CIRS.
- This approach reduces the need for costly, extensive diagnostic tests in initial screenings.
At Flourish Clinic we use the VCS and symptom clusters as a pre-screening tool for all our patients. We only recommend pursuing CIRS blood tests if either the VCS or symptom clusters are positive; ideally both the VCS and symptoms are positive.
Symptom Clusters in CIRS
CIRS is defined by 13 symptom clusters, including:
- Cognitive impairment (brain fog, memory loss).
- Fatigue and weakness.
- Respiratory issues and sinus problems.
Patients with symptoms in 8 or more clusters are highly likely to have CIRS. Take a deeper dive into the symptoms of CIRS.
By pairing the VCS test with these clusters, trained practitioners can make informed decisions about whether further testing, like blood work, is necessary.
What Most Websites Don’t Tell You
Many websites describe the VCS test as a standalone diagnostic tool, but the full story is more nuanced. Here’s what you might not know:
Why Symptom Clusters Matter:
- The VCS test identifies potential brain function impairments, but symptom clusters put the results into context.
- For example, failing the VCS test with more than 10 symptom clusters makes CIRS more likely, while a failed test without symptoms may warrant other investigations.
The Role of Biotoxins in Vision Impairment:
Biotoxins reduce blood flow in the brain, particularly in regions involved in sensory processing. This impact isn’t just theoretical—it’s measurable through advanced techniques like the Heidelberg Retinal Flow Meter.
Limitations of the VCS Test:
- False positives can occur in people with unrelated vision problems (e.g., cataracts).
- Passing the test doesn’t completely rule out CIRS; it’s one piece of the puzzle.
Why Blood Work Is Essential
While the VCS test and symptom clusters are powerful tools, they don’t provide the full picture. Blood work is essential for confirming a CIRS diagnosis and tailoring treatment.
After CIRS has been confirmed via bloodwork, the VCS test is used to track progress through the Shoemaker Protocol. VCS tests can also be used to identify re-exposures – events when a patient has spent time in a water-damaged building.
Key Biomarkers for CIRS
- TGF-beta1: Elevated in cases of immune dysregulation.
- MSH (Melanocyte-Stimulating Hormone): Often suppressed in CIRS patients.
- MMP-9: Indicates inflammation in blood vessels and tissues.
- C4a and C3a: Complement proteins linked to immune activation.
Blood work not only validates the diagnosis but also identifies specific pathways affected by biotoxins, helping guide treatment.
How VCS Testing and Symptom Clusters Improve Access to Care
One of the biggest challenges for people like Emily is getting a diagnosis. Traditional methods often involve costly imaging or extensive lab tests, which aren’t accessible to everyone. The VCS test, paired with symptom clusters, provides a cost-effective, efficient way to screen for CIRS.
At Flourish Clinic, we use this approach as the first step in identifying CIRS. If the results suggest biotoxin-related inflammation, we follow up with targeted blood tests and personalized treatment plans to help patients regain their health.
Research Supporting the VCS Test
Here are some key studies underscoring the value of the VCS test and its role in CIRS diagnostics:
- McMahon, S. (2017). Alternate Means to Detect Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome: Demonstrates the high accuracy of combining VCS testing with symptom clusters.
- Brewer, J. H., et al. (2013). The Role of Mold in Biotoxin Illness: Highlights how mold exposure affects visual contrast sensitivity.
- Gray, M. R., et al. (2020). Visual Contrast Sensitivity as a Marker for Biotoxin Illness: Explores how the test correlates with systemic inflammation.
- Ritchie Shoemaker, et al. (2010). NeuroQuant MRI in CIRS: Discusses structural brain changes seen in CIRS patients.
- Taylor, K. L., et al. (2019). Combining Symptom Clusters with VCS Testing: Validates this approach as a reliable screening tool for CIRS.
Why the VCS Test Matters for You
If you’re struggling with unexplained fatigue, brain fog, or other symptoms that seem to have no clear cause, the VCS test could be a critical first step. It’s non-invasive, cost-effective, and backed by science. When combined with symptom clusters and blood work, it provides a comprehensive view of your health, helping you move closer to a diagnosis and, ultimately, recovery.
At Flourish Clinic, we specialize in guiding patients through this process, offering both diagnostic tools and personalized care to address the root causes of CIRS.
Should you do a VCS test?
The VCS test is more than a vision exam—it’s a window into how your body responds to chronic inflammation and biotoxins. By combining this test with symptom clusters and blood work, you can uncover hidden patterns in your health and start the journey toward recovery.
Should you wish to perform a VCS test, do so at Surviving Mold. This online VCS test has been clinically validated. The test found at vcstest.com has not been clinically validated for CIRS. Once you have a completed VCS test, schedule a complimentary consult with one of our Shoemaker Certified Practitioners to discuss the findings in more detail.
Could a simple eye test be the key to unlocking the mysteries of your chronic symptoms?
Mark Volmer has attained the highest level of Shoemaker Protocol certification, and is one of only two of Canada’s Shoemaker Protocol practitioners. The Shoemaker Protocol is the only scientifically proven method of treating CIRS.
