Abstract
Purpose: :
To determine whether an internet–based computer visual skills training progrm can reduce visual discomfort in adults.
Methods: :
5 subjects (22 to 53yr) who complained of visual discomfort unrelated to Rx were examined by TH and YM. Because they were either (a) too busy to make repeated office visits to pursue in–office solutions or (b) exasperated with medications that did not relieve their symptoms, they were offered vision training via an internet computer program they could access anywhere. The computer program required 15 minutes of total daily excercise in tracking, vergence, and accommodative facility. Images were viewed by subjects through red/blue glasses, which allowed monocular viewing of targets for tracking and accommodative facility and binocular viewing of targets for vergence. Data from each session were transmitted to a server in Oakland, California, USA. After 30 sessions of visual skills training, symptoms and signs were re–assessed by TH or YM.
Results: :
(1) All subjects complained of tired eyes prior to the program. Other complaints included blurred vision during reading, headache, double vision, ocular pain, watery eyes, foreign body sensations, as well as eye fatigue when working on computer and driving. (2) All subjects reported reduced discomfort following internet–based visual skills training. Objective measurement showed improvement in fusional vergence ranges (break and recovery) and accommodative facility.
Conclusions: :
Subjects who complain of visual discomfort may benefit from an internet–based computerized visual skills training program. The possibility of visual skill dysfunction should be considered, along with corrective lenses and other health issues, when patients present with visual discomfort. Internet visual skills training may be especially beneficial for patients who are very busy or who have not experienced success with other therapeutic approaches.
Keywords: binocular vision/stereopsis • visual development • quality of life