Abstract
Purpose :
Recently, we developed a successful computerized visual perceptual learning training for children with infantile nystagmus (Huurneman et al. IOVS 2016;57(10):4216-4246). The training was built in MATLAB making the training ill-suited to be used as a clinical tool outside of the lab environment. The aim of the present study was to translate the MATLAB-based, supervised training to a user-friendly app that could be used at home and to evaluate adherence of users to training instructions.
Methods :
This study is part of a larger study which includes 37 children with infantile nystagmus aged 7-18 years (11 girls). Here we report user results of the first group of 11 children that completed the training. One of the requirements was that the app should measure viewing distance. Distance measurements were automated by tracking a head target using the front camera of the device. Compliance to training instructions was evaluated using: 1) visibility of the head target during training, 2) the correctness of viewing distance during training (gain factor), and 3) the ability to complete 40 training sessions at home.
Results :
We succeeded in translating our MATLAB-training to a Unity-based app that can run on Android and iOS devices, as well as major internet browsers. For the current studies we used Apple iPad AIR 2 devices. Training progress and treatment compliance can be monitored by a health professional remotely. Compliance to visibly wear the head target was high: 88±2 % (mean ± SEM). Participants trained at a viewing distance of 30, 50, or 100 cm depending on their visual acuity. The gain factor of recorded viewing distance was 0.98 ± 0.02, indicating that children tended to view the screen ~2% closer than instructed. This was within the 10% limit that was set. Ten out of 11 children completed the intended 40 training sessions. Average acuity-improvements were in line with the previous MATLAB-based training.
Conclusions :
Children were able to use the app within their home or school environment without supervision or technical assistance. Compliance to the training regimen was above-expected regarding the total number of participants reaching the intended number of 40 trainings, and adherence to the visibility of the head target for distance-measurement. The results indicate that children with infantile nystagmus can effectively use our training app without direct supervision.
This abstract was presented at the 2019 ARVO Annual Meeting, held in Vancouver, Canada, April 28 - May 2, 2019.