Investigating the Efficacy of Perceptual Learning in Blurred Gabor Discrimination Among Children With Low Myopia: An Exploratory Study
Trial Snapshot
- Phase
- Not Applicable
- Status
- Not yet recruiting
- Enrollment
- 30
- Locations
- 2
- Primary Endpoint
- Change in Best Corrected Visual Acuity (BCVA) From Baseline
Study Overview
Brief Summary
This exploratory study investigates whether perceptual learning using blurred Gabor stimuli can improve uncorrected distance visual acuity in children aged 6-10 years with low myopia. Participants will be randomly assigned to a training group or control group. The training group will undergo individualized visual perceptual learning through a digital Vision Training System (VTS) for approximately 3 months. The study will also evaluate changes in refraction, contrast sensitivity, visual crowding, Chinese reading acuity with eye movements, and sweep visual evoked potentials (sVEPs).
Detailed Description
Perceptual learning (PL) is a non-invasive approach that enhances visual function through repeated visual tasks. Prior studies have demonstrated its potential in treating amblyopia and age-related visual decline. However, its application in children with low myopia remains underexplored.
This study has two main objectives:
To examine the effect of perceptual learning using blurred Gabor stimuli on uncorrected distance visual acuity in children with low myopia.
To investigate whether such training also improves refraction, contrast sensitivity, visual crowding, reading vision with eye movement patterns, and sweep visual evoked potentials (sVEPs).
Thirty children aged 6-10 years with spherical equivalent refractive errors between -0.50 and -1.25 diopters (including ≤ -0.75 diopters of astigmatism) will be enrolled. Participants will be randomized into a training group or control group. The training group will undergo approximately 20 sessions of individualized visual perceptual learning using the Vision Training System (VTS), developed in collaboration with Bar Ilan University.
Study Design
- Study Type
- Interventional
- Allocation
- Randomized
- Intervention Model
- Parallel
- Primary Purpose
- Treatment
- Masking
- None
Eligibility Criteria
- Ages
- 6 Years to 10 Years (Child)
- Sex
- All
- Accepts Healthy Volunteers
- No
Inclusion Criteria
- •Experimental and Control Group
- •Inclusion Criteria:
- •Children aged between 6 to 10 years.
- •Best corrected distance visual acuity of 6/6 or 0.00 logMAR.
- •Diagnosed with low myopia after a comprehensive ophthalmologic examination, with a spherical equivalent refractive error ranging from -0.50 to -1.25 diopters, including up to -0.75 diopters of astigmatism.
- •Not currently undergoing any of the four standard myopia control treatments for children:
- •Atropine (mydriatic agent)
- •Orthokeratology
- •Peripheral defocus soft contact lenses
- •Peripheral defocus spectacle lenses (frame glasses)
- •Willing and able to provide informed consent, and able to comply with study procedures and assessments.
Exclusion Criteria
- •Participants will be excluded if they have any of the following ophthalmologic conditions:
- •Binocular vision problems
- •Ocular diseases
- •History of ocular surgery (excluding refractive surgery)
Arms & Interventions
Visual Perceptual Learning Group
Children aged 4-10 years with low myopia will receive a structured visual perceptual learning (VPL) intervention using computerized blurred Gabor discrimination tasks. Training will be conducted at least twice per week, with each session lasting approximately 15-30 minutes, for up to 3 months. Training parameters will be remotely monitored and adjusted based on individual progress. Participants will undergo baseline, post-training, and follow-up assessments of uncorrected visual acuity, refractive error, contrast sensitivity, visual crowding, Chinese reading visual acuity, eye movement performance, and sweep visual evoked potentials (sVEP).
Intervention: vision training system, VTS (Behavioral)
Control Group
Children aged 4-10 years with low myopia who meet the same inclusion and exclusion criteria will not receive the VPL training during the study period. They will undergo the same schedule of baseline, post-study, and follow-up assessments as the experimental group, including evaluations of uncorrected visual acuity, refractive error, contrast sensitivity, visual crowding, Chinese reading visual acuity, eye movement performance, and sweep visual evoked potentials (sVEP).
Outcomes
Primary Outcomes
Change in Best Corrected Visual Acuity (BCVA) From Baseline
Time Frame: From enrollment to 12 months after completion of the 3-month training program
Best Corrected Visual Acuity (BCVA) will be measured using the ETDRS or Snellen chart at a distance of 3 meters under standardized lighting conditions. The change in BCVA from baseline to post-training will be assessed.
Secondary Outcomes
- Change in Spherical Equivalent Refraction (Diopters) From Baseline(From enrollment to 12 months after completion of the 3-month training program)
- Change in Visual Crowding Acuity From Baseline(From enrollment to 12 months after completion of the 3-month training program)
- Change in Visual Acuity Measured by Sweep Visual Evoked Potentials (sVEP) From Baseline(From enrollment to 12 months after completion of the 3-month training program)
- Change in Contrast Sensitivity Across Spatial Frequencies From Baseline(From enrollment to 12 months after completion of the 3-month training program)
- Change in Reading Visual Acuity and Eye Movement Parameters From Baseline(From enrollment to 12 months after completion of the 3-month training program)