Amblyopia, a developmental abnormality that impairs spatial vision, is a major cause of vision loss, resulting in reduced visual acuity and reduced sensitivity to contrast. This study uses psychophysical measures to study neural plasticity in both adults and children with amblyopia.
Amblyopia, a developmental abnormality that impairs spatial vision, is a major cause of vision loss, resulting in reduced visual acuity and reduced sensitivity to contrast. Our previous findings (see Publications) show that the adult amblyopic brain is still plastic and malleable, suggesting that active approach is potential useful in treating amblyopia.The goal of this project is to assess the limits and mechanisms of neural plasticity in both normal and amblyopic spatial vision. This study uses psychophysical measures to study neural plasticity in both adults and children with amblyopia. Research participants will be asked to practice a visual discrimination task (perceptual learning) or to play video games with the amblyopic eye for a period of time. A range of visual functions will be monitored during the course of treatment.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
180
A new approach for improving amblyopic vision using video games
A new approach for improving amblyopic vision with perceptual learning
Conventional treatment for amblyopia
Nova Southeastern University College of Optometry
Fort Lauderdale, Florida, United States
RECRUITINGChange in visual acuity before and after the intervention
"Visual acuity", the gold standard for vision testing, will be measured. Participants will be asked to read letters on a LogMAR letter chart. The smallest letters that can be read correspond to visual acuity (e.g., Snellen acuity of 20/20, letter-stroke width = 1 minute of arc).
Time frame: 9 months
Change in stereoacuity before and after the intervention
"Stereoacuity" will be measured psychophysically using a new stereoacuity function test (1.25, 2.5, 5, 10, 15, \& 20 cycles per degree) developed in our previous studies (Li et al 2016). A custom-built 4-mirror haploscope will be used to present a stereogram to each eye. Stereoacuity is the smallest stereo disparity that can be seen in binocular vision (in the unit of seconds of arc, arcsec). The conventional stereoacuity tests (including Randot Stereoacuity Test, Stereofly Test \& Preschool Stereo Test) will also be used to measure stereoacuity. Participants will be asked to wear a pair of 3D glasses and to identify the target 3D pictures at various 3D levels. The smallest 3D disparities that can be seen correspond to stereoacuity (e.g. normal range of stereoacuity: 50 seconds of arc or better).
Time frame: 9 months
Change in contrast sensitivity before and after the intervention
"Contrast sensitivity", the ability to detect low contrast / brightness, will be measured psychophysically for a range of spatial frequencies (1.25, 2.5, 5, 10, \& 20 cycles per degree). Visual stimuli at different contrast levels will be displayed on a monitor screen. The smallest detectable stimulus contrast level will be measured in the unit of cd/m2.
Time frame: 9 months
Change in positional (or Vernier) acuity before and after the intervention
"Positional acuity", the ability to detect a subtle positional offset between visual stimuli, will be measured psychophysically. Visual stimuli with different amount of positional offsets will be displayed on a monitor screen. The smallest detectable stimulus offset will be measured as position acuity, in the unit of seconds of arc.
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Time frame: 9 months