Effectiveness of Training in Reading Rehabilitation for Patients With Diabetic Macular Oedema

Effectiveness of Training in Reading Rehabilitation for Patients With Diabetic Macular Oedema (DMO)- Randomized Controlled Trial

Diabetic macular oedema (DMO) is a sight-threatening problem for diabetic patient who has swelling in macula. Patients with DMO can receive laser treatment and achieve good acuity finally. However, some patients still have difficulties in reading even after proper treatment. In this project, the investigators aimed to explore the effectiveness of different training paradigms in improving reading performance in patients with DMO.

Patients with diabetic macular oedema (DMO), after receiving laser photocoagulation, achieved good outcomes in distance acuity. However, some patients, particularly those developing parafoveal scotoma, still had difficulty in reading. Inability to read or reading very slowly leads to the potential loss of job, as well as the enjoyment of reading for leisure. In this study, the investigators aimed to investigate the effectiveness of reading rehabilitation using perceptual learning paradigms in enhancing reading performance in patients with reading difficulties due to DMO. Also, the fundamental mechanisms explaining the reading problems in patients with DMO reading Chinese will be examined. The investigators hypothesize that the perceptual training would show an improvement in reading. The investigators' primary hypothesis is that temporal visual processing speed and spatial visual span will be improved after perceptual training. The investigators' secondary hypothesis is that the reading speed and fixation stability will be improved after training.

Receive 6 weekly 1-hour training sessions by Trigrams (A tailor made reading-task training programme).

Receive 6 weekly 1-hour training sessions by Trigrams (A tailor made reading-task training programme).

Receive 6 weekly 1-hour training sessions by Trigrams (A tailor made reading-task training programme).

Using trigrams to measure the character-recognition accuracy while characters are presented at different exposure times

Using trigrams to measure the character-recognition accuracy while characters are presented at different positions

Measured in three different ways for Chinese: Rapid serial visual presentation (RSVP) Sentence reading (MNREAD) Passage reading (IReST)

Inclusion Criteria: Able to read Chinese. No formal vision rehabilitation training in reading after vision loss Diagnosis of diabetic macular oedema (DMO) and had previous treatment with laser and / or intravitreal injections Reasonable control of blood glucose level (HbA1c <10) to minimize the impact of vision fluctuation Education level of 6 years or more (primary school or above) Exclusion Criteria: Receive any types of eye treatments other than those mentioned above Any diagnosed ocular diseases other than DMO Severe medical problems or self reported neurological or cognitive disorders Serious hearing impairment Previously attended vision rehabilitation clinic