MRI Goggles

Carilion’s New MRI Goggles Help Pediatric Patients Avoid Anesthesia

When 13-year-old Elias Dalton recently slid into the Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) machine at Carilion Clinic, for once, he was not anxious about the noise, tight space or staying still. Instead, he was focused on watching Marvel movies through a pair of specialized CinemaVision goggles. For Elias Dalton, who has tuberous sclerosis and autism, that experience marked a significant change. Since age five, he has required regular MRIs—procedures that often required sedation because remaining still for long scans can often be difficult. “He never enjoyed going under anesthesia, and always felt terrible coming out of it,” said Adam Dalton, Elias’ father. “One time he even woke up and didn’t remember his mom or me, and it took a while for his memory to come back. That was the last time he went under.” Now, thanks to two pairs of CinemaVision MRI goggles, funded through grants from Child’s Play Charity, the Foster Family Foundation, and an anonymous donor, children like Elias can watch movies during their scans—often eliminating the need for anesthesia. MRIs require patients to lie completely still for extended periods, which can be especially challenging for children. Traditionally, sedation has been used to help but requires additional coordination and recovery time and carries potential risks. The goggles, purchased for Carilion Children’s Child Life Program, allow pediatric patients to watch movies or shows safely inside the machine, helping children relax and stay still naturally. Donated funds also helped build a library of more than 100 DVDs, giving children a wide selection of movies to choose from during their scans. “Our goal is always to provide the most comfortable experiences for our patients, especially our pediatric patients,” said Teresa Crowder, Imaging Manager at Carilion. “If we can help a child successfully complete an MRI without anesthesia, that’s even better.” Like they did for Elias, these goggles have helped more than 50 young patients get through MRIs without having to undergo anesthesia. By reducing the need for anesthesia, the goggles help avoid potential medication complications and may shorten scheduling wait times for MRI appointments. As a not-for-profit health system, Carilion relies on grants and donations from organizations such as Child’s Play Charity, the Foster Family Foundation, and community to help provide the very best care and comforts for Carilion’s patients, staff, and community. When 13-year-old Elias Dalton recently slid into the Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) machine at Carilion Clinic, for once, he was not anxious about the noise, tight space or staying still. Instead, he was focused on watching Marvel movies through a pair of specialized CinemaVision goggles.

For Elias Dalton, who has tuberous sclerosis and autism, that experience marked a significant change. Since age five, he has required regular MRIs—procedures that often required sedation because remaining still for long scans can often be difficult.

“He never enjoyed going under anesthesia, and always felt terrible coming out of it,” said Adam Dalton, Elias’ father. “One time he even woke up and didn’t remember his mom or me, and it took a while for his memory to come back. That was the last time he went under.”

Now, thanks to two pairs of CinemaVision MRI goggles, funded through grants from Child’s Play Charity, the Foster Family Foundation, and an anonymous donor, children like Elias can watch movies during their scans—often eliminating the need for anesthesia.

MRIs require patients to lie completely still for extended periods, which can be especially challenging for children. Traditionally, sedation has been used to help but requires additional coordination and recovery time and carries potential risks.

The goggles, purchased for Carilion Children’s Child Life Program, allow pediatric patients to watch movies or shows safely inside the machine, helping children relax and stay still naturally.

Donated funds also helped build a library of more than 100 DVDs, giving children a wide selection of movies to choose from during their scans.

“Our goal is always to provide the most comfortable experiences for our patients, especially our pediatric patients,” said Teresa Crowder, Imaging Manager at Carilion. “If we can help a child successfully complete an MRI without anesthesia, that’s even better.”

Like they did for Elias, these goggles have helped more than 50 young patients get through MRIs without having to undergo anesthesia. By reducing the need for anesthesia, the goggles help avoid potential medication complications and may shorten scheduling wait times for MRI appointments.

As a not-for-profit health system, Carilion relies on grants and donations from organizations such as Child’s Play Charity, the Foster Family Foundation, and community to help provide the very best care and comforts for Carilion’s patients, staff, and community.