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Computer video game improves stereopsis
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A random dot computer video game used regularly at home can improve stereopsis in children with amblyopia, according to a study.
Traditionally, amblyopia is treated with occlusion. This method is not well-accepted by children and leads to improvement in no more than 30% of cases according to researchers.
A group of researchers from three university centers in Spain evaluated the effects on stereopsis of a video game with random dot stereograms in anaglyphic format. If children were able to detect points with the same disparity, they could see the hidden picture that appeared as a three-dimensional shape over the flatter dotted background.
The game was programmed to be carried out in 60 consecutive 8-minute sessions of increasing demand for stereopsis until reaching the lowest disparity that the child could detect. Every 15 sessions, optometric evaluation was performed. Once the 60 sessions were completed all children underwent final evaluation.
Stereoacuity significantly improved in a high number of subjects. The authors noted that these children had undergone previous amblyopic treatment with occlusion and orthoptic treatment without significant improvement of stereopsis.
The authors suggested that improvements in binocular function can be achieved through game-based home treatment that stimulates binocular experience, “with compliance rates that are superior to those observed with other types of treatment, such as occlusion,” they wrote. – by Michela Cimberle
Disclosure: After finishing this study, the authors were asked by a private company named Visionary Tool to participate in the development of a computerized visual training tool.
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