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NCT Number: NCT05522972

Establishing New Treatment Approaches for Amblyopia: Perceptual Learning and Video Games

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.

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Key information

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Nova Southeastern University College of Optometry

Fort Lauderdale, Florida, 33328, United States

Location status: Recruiting

Location contact

Roger Li, OD, PhD

CONTACT

[email protected]

954-262-1436

About this study

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.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • adults and children with normal vision or amblyopia
  • amblyopia: interocular VA difference of 0.1 logMAR or more

Exclusion criteria

  • any ocular pathological conditions, nystagmus

Treatment and study plan

Video Game Vision Training

Behavioral

A new approach for improving amblyopic vision using video games

Perceptual Learning

Behavioral

A new approach for improving amblyopic vision with perceptual learning

Occlusion Therapy

Behavioral

Conventional treatment for amblyopia

Primary outcomes

  1. Change in visual acuity before and after the intervention

    Time frame: 9 months

    "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).

  2. Change in stereoacuity before and after the intervention

    Time frame: 9 months

    "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).

Secondary outcomes

  1. Change in contrast sensitivity before and after the intervention

    Time frame: 9 months

    "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.

  2. Change in positional (or Vernier) acuity before and after the intervention

    Time frame: 9 months

    "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.

Study contacts

Contact information is provided by the study sponsor or research team.

Roger W Li, OD, PhD

CONTACT

[email protected]

954-262-1436

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Nova Southeastern University

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Improving Normal and Amblyopic Vision With Video Games and Perceptual Learning

Important dates

Study start
2022
Primary completion
2029
Study completion
2029
First posted
Aug 31, 2022
Registry last updated
Dec 16, 2025

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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