Stereoacuity Improvement using Random-Dot Video Games

Conventional amblyopia therapy involves occlusion or penalization of the dominant eye, though these methods enhance stereoscopic visual acuity in fewer than 30% of cases. To improve these results, we propose a treatment in the form of a video game, using random-dot stimuli and perceptual learning techniques to stimulate stereoacuity. The protocol is defined for stereo-deficient patients between 7-14 years of age who have already received treatment for amblyopia and have a monocular best corrected distance visual acuity of at least 0.1 logMAR. Patients are required to complete a perceptual learning program at home using the video game. While compliance is stored automatically in the cloud, periodic optometry center visits are used to track patient evolution and adjust the game's stereoscopic demand until the smallest detectable disparity is achieved. The protocol has proved to be successful, and effectiveness is gauged in terms of a two-level gain on a random stereoacuity test (global stereoacuity or cyclopean stereoacuity reference test). Moreover, the random-dot stimuli learning transfers to medial lateral stereoscopic acuity according to a Wirt Circles test, in which success criteria is a final stereoacuity of over 140", and the attained enhancement corresponds to no less than two levels of stereoscopic acuity. Six months later, a random-dot stereoacuity test recorded no reduction in the stereoacuity that was achieved

Aprendizaje perceptivo en sujetos estereodeficientes con historial de ambliopía

Tesis inédita presentada en la Universidad Europea de Madrid. Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud. Programa de Doctorado en Ciencias de la VisiónEl presente estudio tiene como finalidad evidenciar si un programa informático, siguiendo un modelo de Aprendizaje Perceptivo con apariencia de juego, realizado en el domicilio del paciente, mejora la estereopsis en sujetos esterodeficientes con historial de ambliopía y si las medidas de estereopsis tomadas con este juego son concordantes con las tomadas con el test de estereopsis, TNO. Para ello se diseñó un estudio prospectivo, aleatorizado con doble ciego, en el que sujetos con edades comprendidas entre los 7 y 14 años estuvieron estimulando su estereopsis durante aproximadamente 3 meses. El análisis de los resultados muestra que el modelo de intervención propuesto mejora la estereopsis en individuos esterodeficientes con historial de ambliopía y que estos cambios son perdurables. Además, las medidas de la estereopsis tomadas con el programa informático son concordantes con las tomadas con el test TNO.UE

Successful treatment of diplopia using prism correction combined with vision therapy/orthoptics improves health-related quality of life

Background To track improvement in diplopia symptoms with strabismus-specific health-related quality of life (HRQOL) questionnaire across a treatment consisting of prism correction followed by vision therapy/orthoptics when prism treatment alone has not succeeded. Methods Forty-eight participants with diplopia and a mean age of 62.45 were asked to complete an Adult Strabismus-20 (AS-20) questionnaire and a Diplopia Questionnaire (DQ) before and after prism correction. Inclusion criteria were diplopia reported on the DQ as “sometimes”, “often” or “always” at reading or straight-ahead distance. The prism correction was classified as successful if the participant reported “never” or “rarely” on the DQ for reading and straight-ahead distance; and unsuccessful if the perceived diplopia worsened or remained the same. For all participants, mean initial AS-20 scores were compared with mean post-prism correction scores, taking into account AS-20 subscales (reading and general functions, and self-perception and interaction). Participants in the failed prism treatment subgroup subsequently underwent a programme of vision therapy wearing their prism correction, the results of which were again determined by participants’ responses on the AS-20 questionnaire, completed before and after the vision therapy. Results Five of the 48 participants dropped out of the study. Prism correction was classified as successful in 22 of 43 participants (51%), and unsuccessful in 21 (49%). Those participants for whom the prism correction was classified as a success showed a statistically significant improvement (p = 0.01) in both reading and general functions. In the failed treatment subgroup, no significant change in AS-20 score was recorded for any of the domains (p = 0.1). After treatment with vision therapy/orthoptics, however, 13 of the 20 participants in the unsuccessful prism correction subgroup (one of them dropped out the study) achieved binocular vision and statistically significant improvement in reading and general functions (p = 0.01). Conclusions Although effective prism correction of diplopia is correlated with enhanced HRQOL, prism correction alone is frequently not sufficient to achieve this objective. In these cases, vision therapy/orthoptics treatment as a coadjutant to prism correction is shown to improve HRQOL

Combined passive and active treatment in strabismic amblyopia with accommodative component

Background: Treatment of amblyopia in esotropic subjects with accommodative component currently consists of optical correction and subsequent occlusion, or penalisation, of the dominant eye. This treatment obtains a good outcome in visual acuity but poor outcomes in binocular vision. An intervention protocol that could improve the outcome of conventional treatment is presented. Methods: A retrospective study in subjects with amblyopia associated with both fully accommodative and partially accommodative esotropia is presented. Subjects were refracted under cycloplegia and treated with occlusion (passive therapy). Subjects who did not achieve orthotropia through optical correction (partially accommodative esotropia) performed an active therapy (full‐time prismatic correction and subsequent fusional vergence therapy or surgery in larger angles > 12 prism dioptres). After treatment, the subjects were examined by a masked optometrist in an external ophthalmology clinic. Results: Twenty‐six subjects (12 males and 14 females) aged from six to 13 years (median 8.50; interquartile range [IQR] 3) were included. Median age of detection was three years (IQR 1). All the subjects were hyperopic. In the baseline, median best‐corrected visual acuity of the amblyopic eye was 0.40 logMAR (IQR 0.30) and 0.00 logMAR (IQR 0.01) in the dominant eye. After the treatment, the median best‐corrected visual acuity in the amblyopic eye was 0.06 logMAR (IQR 0.08). These differences were statistically significant (p < 0.001). All subjects acquired stereoacuity equal or better than 800′′ with the Randot Preschool Stereoacuity Test. Conclusions: The proposed treatment highlights the management of amblyopia in esotropic subjects with accommodative component. This intervention protocol could help to determine if the treatment has to be passive (in fully accommodative esotropia) or a combination of passive and active therapies (in partially accommodative esotropia)

A Random Dot Computer Video Game Improves Stereopsis

SIGNIFICANCE Currently, treatments for amblyopia are occlusion or penalization of the stronger fellow eye. Fewer than 30% of patients improve stereoacuity using these treatments. In order to improve these outcomes, this group proposes a treatment to stimulate the stereoacuity through perceptual learning in a game format for use at home. PURPOSE The aim of this study was to determine whether perceptual learning with random dot stimuli (RDS) in the form of a computer video game improves stereopsis in patients with a history of amblyopia. METHODS Thirty-two stereo-deficient patients (7 to 14 years old) previously treated for amblyopia participated in a prospective, randomized, double-blind study. Participants followed a perceptual learning program at home using RDS software. In the experimental group, the demand of stereopsis was increased, until reaching the lowest detectable disparity. In the comparison group, the stimulation interval was a constant (840 to 750”). Stereoacuity was evaluated with the Randot Preschool Stereoacuity Test (RPST) and the Wirt Circles. RESULTS Median compliance was 100% (interquartile range [IQR] = 78.50 to 100). Log10 stereoacuity outcomes were significantly different between groups (RPST, P = .041; Wirt Circles Test, P = .009). Median stereoacuity improvement with RPST was 50% (IQR = 0.00 to 75%) and 0% (IQR = 0.00 to 7.5%), respectively, for experimental and comparison groups (P = .008). Wirt Circles improvement was 46.42% (IQR = 6.25 to 73.75%) and 0% (IQR = 0.00 to 57.50%), respectively, for experimental and comparison groups (P = .089). Stereoacuity improvement was not different between groups when success was considered a 70% gain in RPST (P = .113); it was statistically different when success was considered a gain of two levels on Wirt Circles and stereoacuity 140” or less (P = .023). Stereoacuity remained stable after 6 months when measured with RPST, whereas it worsened in two subjects when measured with Wirt Circles. CONCLUSIONS Direct stimulation of stereopsis at home using RDS in a game environment improves the stereoacuity in stereo-deficient subjects with a history of amblyopia.Sin financiación1.577 JCR (2018) Q3, 40/60 Ophthalmology0.851 SJR (2018) Q1, 2/12 Optometry; Q2, 35/126 OphthalmologyNo data IDR 2018UE

An Evaluation of the Agreement Between a Computerized Stereoscopic Game Test and the TNO Stereoacuity Test

Purpose: Stereo-anomaly is commonly associated with amblyopia. An investigation was conducted to determine whether the measurements of stereoacuity obtained with the stereoacuity reference test (TNO Test) show an agreement with a computer stereoscope video game. Methods: Thirty-two subjects (mean age 9.37±2.00 years) with an amblyopia history were selected for a blind and randomized study of stereoacuity improvement through a new random dot game. A masked examiner measured the stereoacuity three times per subject using the TNO test (at the beginning, at the end and after 6 months of the treatment). A second masked examiner measured stereoacuity using the new computerized game after the TNO masked evaluation. Results: The Pearson’s correlation coefficient one test against the other was r2 = 0.767 and the Bland–Altman plot was r2= 0.069 (mean difference −0.03 log sec). Using three categories: poor (840–300 seconds of arc), coarse (480–210 seconds of arc) and moderate–fine stereoacuity (210–30 seconds of arc). Positive predictive values were 89.5% for moderate–fine; 72.7% for coarse; and 90.0% for poor stereoacuity. In addition, the agreement was evaluated using the Kappa coefficient (K= 0.743) with a 0.95 confidence interval and lower and upper Kappa limits were (0.628 and 0.858), respectively. Kappa coefficient and limits were still good when analyzing data before (K =0.663, 0.420 and 0.906) and after the treatment (K= 0.765, 0.632 and 0.899). Conclusion: The Computerized Stereoscopic Game test allows the measure of stereoacuity. It can be used for both the purpose of detecting stereo vision deficits or tracking stereo vision development

Predictive factors for the perceptual learning in stereodeficient subjects

Background: Stereopsis is a valuable feature of human visual perception which is critically impaired in amblyopia, but can be improved through perceptual learning (PL). This article aims to determine the variables affecting the outcomes and intensity of a stereoacuity stimulation program. Methods: Re-analysis of a previous study in stereodeficient subjects with a history of amblyopia. Sixteen subjects (12 females, 4 males) aged between 7 and 14 received stereopsis stimulation through a PL program at home. A correlation analysis evaluated whether treatment intensity or percentage improvement were related to age or baseline stereoacuity measurements. Further analysis was performed to assess whether the type of amblyopia conditioned the PL treatment (Fischer Statistical Test). Results: No significant correlation was found between age and percentage improvement (rho = −0.08, p = 0.749), nor was age correlated with treatment intensity (rho = 0.170, p = 0.544). However, a correlation did exist between baseline stereoacuity levels and treatment intensity (rho = 0.734, p = 0.001). Baseline stereoacuity and percentage improvement had a negative correlation (rho = −0.748, p = 0.005), while treatment intensity showed only a weak association with the type of amblyopia (p = 0.064). Conclusions: Present results suggest that perceptual learning in stereodeficient subjects is not influenced by either the subject's age or the type of amblyopia. Baseline stereoacuity, on the other hand, seems to be a predicting factor for perceptual learning outcomes. According to our study, subjects with poor basal stereoacuity needed more sessions to improve and their percentage improvement was lower. However, due to the reduced size of the sample, the results should be considered with caution.This research was carried out thanks to a grant awarded by the European University of Madrid 2013/UEM20; to JR-A