Dichoptic perceptual learning induces visual cortex plasticity in adults with amblyopia

Abstract

Purpose: In this study, we directly compared the effects of dichoptic vs. monocular training on visual function in adults with amblyopia.

Methods: 18 adults with amblyopia completed two weeks of training on a Tetris video game. The game was either played dichtopically in conjunction with an interocular contrast offset to overcome suppression, or monocularly with the fellow fixing eye occluded (n = 9 per group). After the first period of training, the monocular group was crossed over to dichtopic training for an additional two weeks. Measurements of interocular suppression, visual acuity and stereopsis were made before and after training.

Results: Dichoptic training resulted in significantly greater improvements in visual acuity, stereopsis and interocular suppression than monocular training (p<0.0001). Significant improvements in visual function were also observed when the monocular training group was switched to dichoptic training. (p=0.02).

Conclusions: Dichoptic perceptual learning reduced suppression and modulated monocular as well as binocular visual cortex plasticity in adult amblyopes and is significantly more effective than monocular training.

Keywords: 417 amblyopia