An Active Approach to Treat Amblyopia: Perceptual Learning and Video Games
AmblyopiaAmblyopia, 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.
Caffeine in Amblyopia Study
AmblyopiaProspective data on the visual acuity response in children treated by patching concurrently treated with caffeine and estimate the magnitude of effect that might be seen in a randomized trial (if no improvement in acuity is seen, this would be sufficient evidence to decide not to conduct a randomized, double blind trial). Collect prospective data on the tolerability of caffeine in two dosages as an adjuvant treatment for amblyopia and provide limited data on its safety. Evaluate the potential for a dietary intervention to enhance the acceptance and tolerability of patching on the child and family. Demonstrate recruitment potential of subjects to participate in a dietary intervention study.
Disinvestment Study of Population-Based Vision Screening in Children
AmblyopiaThe purpose of this study is to determine the optimal screening intervals and cost-effectiveness of population-based vision screening in preverbal children in the Netherlands.
Efficacy of Visual Screening in Ontario
AmblyopiaAmblyopia (lazy eye), is the leading treatable cause of vision loss in childhood. Uncorrected refractive errors (ie farsightedness) can lead to difficulties in school. Unfortunately, many children do not receive vision screening until they have already developed irreversible vision problems. We will conduct a cluster randomized clinical trial in which schools, not individual children, are randomly allocated to receive a kindergarten visual screening program or to receive no intervention by the research team (i.e., "care as usual"). We will compare the prevalence of visual problems (and proportion of children with reading problems) when the children are in Grade 2, after allowing for at least one year of treatment.
AMblyopia Treatment Through PErceptual Training in Children (AMPEL)
Strabismic AmblyopiaAmblyopia, affects 4% of the population. In the presence of a normal retina and optic nerve, the visual cortex does not develop normally secondary to the amblyopic eye being at a disadvantage in the sensitive period such as in strabismus. Amblyopia is associated with visuospatial disorders, and poor to absent stereopsis. Amblyopia is treated by occlusion of the non- amblyopic eye in childhood. The present study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of perceptual learning (PL), that is a training of visual drawing tasks (12 sessions of 30 Minutes duration) with crowding (c) for children with amblyopia compared to an amblyopic control group with a placebo drawing task. Arm 1: Crowded (PLc)- Training with small spacing Arm 2: Uncrowded (PLu)- Training with large spacing Prior to this, a small group will help optimize parameters such as contrast and distance of visual objects presented
Excimer Laser Surgery for Anisometropic Amblyopia
Anisometropic AmblyopiaRefractive ErrorsStudy Objectives To compare the efficacy and safety of surgical treatment (PRK) versus non-surgical treatment of anisometropic amblyopia in children who have failed conventional treatment due to non-compliance or non-response. Synopsis of Study Design The study consists of two phases: A Patching Run-In Phase during which all participants are treated for at least 8 weeks with continued refractive correction (with spectacles and/or contact lenses) and patching prescribed 42 hours per week (averaging 6 hours daily) until no further improvement over 2 consecutive visits at least 4 weeks apart or the vision no longer meets eligibility criteria. A Randomized Trial Phase, beginning after no further VA improvement in the patching run-in phase and qualifying amblyopia is still present, during which the participant is assigned to either surgery with PRK and patching prescribed 2 hours per day or to non-surgical treatment with continued refractive correction (with spectacles and/or contact lenses) and patching prescribed 2 hours per day.
Is Non-cycloplegic Photorefraction Applicable for Screening Refractive Risk Factors of Amblyopia?...
AmblyopiaPurpose: : This study was performed to compare the accuracy of non-cycloplegic photorefraction with cycloplegic refraction in detection of refractive amblyopia risk factors and determine some corresponding beneficial cut points. Method: In this diagnostic accuracy study, right eyes of 185 children (1 to 14 years) underwent first non-cycloplegic photorefraction (with PlusOptix SO4 photoscreener) and then cycloplegic refraction from October 2009 to August 2010. Based on the cycloplegic refraction results, hyperopia (≥+3.5D), myopia (≥-3D), astigmatism (≥1.5D), and anisometropia (≥1.5D) were set as criteria based on AAPOS guidelines. The difference in detection of refractive amblyopia risk factors between the two methods was the main outcome measure.
Visual Functional Connectivity and Visual Improvement After TMS/Binocular Treatment
AmblyopiaThe purpose of this study is to assess the effectiveness of combining binocular treatment with repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) in improving the vision of adults with amblyopia. This study also seeks to assess the effect of this combined treatment on cortical neural function and functional connectivity.
Vision Screening for the Detection of Amblyopia
AmblyopiaRefractive Errors3 moreINTRODUCTION. Amblyopia is defined as the loss of visual acuity (VA) in one or both eyes, without any obvious structural or pathological anomalies. Amblyopic eye should be able to regain some VA if treatment is initiated before the age of seven. It is the leading cause of monocular blindness in the 20- to 70-year olds with prevalence 2-5%. Amblyopia is mainly monocular, hence children are general asymptomatic. VA testing is the only reliable method of detecting amblyopia, and the fourth year of life is considered best for vision screening programs. AIM: The purpose of the study is to reduce the preventable vision loss. The main goal of the study is to evidence the problem of amblyopia in Zagreb and to release a model for formal, government directed vision-screening program as a Croatian public health policy. HYPOTHESIS. In Croatia, the prevalence and actual effect of amblyopia and amblyogenic factors, along with treatment efficacy is impossible to quantify, since no population-based studies have been performed regarding this issue. In addition, national screening of preschool children does not exist, while the school-entry screening is prescribed by law. The object of the study is to determine the prevalence of amblyopia in a 4-4.5 year old children of The Town of Zagreb, the efficacy of screening and effectiveness of treatment on reducing amblyopia prevalence. The primary hypothesis is defined: screening of visual acuity monocularly at distance and near in 4-4.5 year old children in Zagreb is effective in detecting amblyopia. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Monocular vision of about 7000 children/ year aged 4-4.5 for whom both parents gave consent is to be tested with Lea chart at near (40cm) and distance (3m) in the kindergartens of The Town of Zagreb. The criterion for referral to complete ophthalmological examination is VA <0.8.
Treating Amblyopia in Adults With Interactive Video Games
AmblyopiaResearchers are trying to determine whether interactive video game play, while wearing a patch over better-seeing eye, will improve subject reduced vision (amblyopia).