Digital Video Games: A Potential Treatment for Amblyopia

Digital video games have emerged as a promising avenue in the field of ophthalmology. A recent study published in Advances in Rehabilitation Science and Practice has shed light on their potential in treating amblyopia. This condition, often referred to as "lazy eye," affects the communication between the brain and one of the eyes, leading to vision problems. However, with the right forms of rehabilitation, it is a treatable condition. This study aimed to assess the efficacy of using smartphone and tablet games combined with anaglyphic glasses in children with amblyopia.

Unleashing the Power of Digital Games for Amblyopia Treatment

Understanding Amblyopia

Amblyopia is a complex eye condition that disrupts the normal visual development. It occurs when the brain fails to properly process visual information from one eye. This can lead to reduced visual acuity and depth perception. The study highlights the importance of early detection and intervention to prevent long-term vision problems.Children with amblyopia often face challenges in daily life, such as difficulty with reading, writing, and participating in sports. The study provides hope by suggesting that digital video games can be a valuable tool in improving their visual skills.

The Study Methodology

The study recruited children aged 4 to 12 years between May 2017 and April 2019. Eligible participants had a logMAR interocular difference of 0.2 or more or a best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) of 0.2 LogMAR or worse. Prematurity of 8 or more weeks, coexisting ocular or systemic diseases, or developmental delay led to exclusion.All participants underwent a comprehensive orthoptic and ophthalmological exam. Data was collected on medical history, BCVA, binocular cooperation, anterior segment and lens examination, and fundus oculi examination. They were familiarized with anaglyphic glasses and provided with digital video game options such as Tetris, Letter Hunt, and Snake. They played the games for 7 hours per week for 8 weeks, with exams given at 4 and 8 weeks from baseline. Parents self-reported compliance to the training.

Study Results

The study included 55 patients with a mean (SD) age of 8.98 (5.38) years. 31% had strabismic amblyopia, 42% had anisometropic amblyopia, and 25% had both. One patient had deprivation amblyopia due to a congenital cataract.The amblyopic eyes showed significant improvement. From a mean baseline BCVA of 0.28 (0.13) logMAR, it improved to 0.14 (0.09) logMAR after 4 weeks and 0.10 (0.09) logMAR after 8 weeks. The fellow eye also had a modest improvement, from 0.08 (0.1) at baseline to 0.02 (0.04) after 8 weeks. When divided into two groups, those with and without patching during therapy, both groups had similar improvements in BCVA.

Limitations and Future Directions

Despite the promising results, the study had some limitations. There was no control group, and stereoscopic acuity was not measured. This limits the ability to draw definitive conclusions and highlights the need for further research.The researchers suggest that future studies should evaluate results based on age, compare binocular rehabilitation with patching, and develop specific apps for this purpose. This will help to further refine the treatment and provide more effective solutions for patients with amblyopia.In conclusion, digital video games show potential as a method of treatment for amblyopia. While more research is needed, the preliminary data are encouraging and offer hope for improving the quality of life for patients with this condition.