Abstract
Abstract: :
Purpose. NeuroVision's NVCâ"¢ vision correction technology is a non–invasive, patient–specific treatment based on visual stimulation and facilitation of neural connections responsible for vision. The technology involves the use of an internet–based computer generated visual training exercise regime using patient specific stimuli based on Gabor patches, to sharpen contrast sensitivity and visual acuity. We evaluated the efficacy of NVCâ"¢ treatment in enhancing unaided visual acuity (UAVA) and contrast sensitivity function (CSF) in low myopes. Methods. Twenty adult patients (40 eyes) with low myopia (mean cycloplegic spherical equivalent of â|*128*|"1.09D (range â|*128*|"0.25 to â|*128*|"1.75)) were recruited in a non–randomized, prospective pilot study of NVCâ"¢ treatment. Patients underwent bilateral treatment sessions on an alternate day basis until no further improvement occurred (mean treatment period = 3.2 months). Investigations included manifest and cycloplegic refraction, LogMAR UAVA and sinusoidal grating CSF. All patients were followed up for 12 months after completion of treatment. Results. Study subjects comprised 10 male and 10 female Asian volunteers (mean age = 32 years, range 19 to 53 years). Seventeen patients (34 eyes) have currently completed treatment. 28 out of 34 eyes (82 %) showed consistent improvement during treatment. Mean baseline LogMAR UAVA was 0.318, and this improved to 0.095 following treatment, an improvement of 0.223 lines. Mean refractive error after treatment remained unchanged at â|*128*|"1.04D. Eyes with a higher refraction showed greater visual improvement: mean UAVA improvement (LogMAR) was 0.285 for eyes between â|*128*|"1.1D and â|*128*|"1.5D (n=19), 0.16 for eyes between â|*128*|"0.6D and â|*128*|"1.0D (n=12), and 0.08 for eyes with refractive error of â|*128*|"0.5D and below (n=3). CSF also improved in the 34 eyes with the mean improvement occuring at the respective frequencies: At 1.5 cycles per degree (cpd) contrast sensitivity improved from 45 to 75, at 3 cpd from 63 to 100, at 6 cpd from 42 to 95, at 12 cpd from 11 to 45, and at 18 cpd from 4 to 9 . No side–effects were encountered during treatment. Conclusions. Early results of this pilot study suggest that NVCâ"¢ treatment is able to improve both visual acuity and contrast sensitivity in adult low myopia. Further follow–up data of this pilot study will evaluate retention rates in visual improvement and enhanced contrast sensitivity function.
Keywords: visual acuity • myopia • contrast sensitivity