Short-term effect of dark exposure on vision in patients with amblyopia

Abstract

Purpose : It has been shown that a period of dark exposure (DE) restored ocular dominance (OD) plasticity in animals. If the DE has any prompting effect on vision in human subjects, it could be an additional method for refractory amblyopia treatment. However, it is unknown whether DE has any effect on vision improvement in patients with amblyopia. We will report effects of 10-day-darkness on vision improvement in patients with amblyopia.

Methods : Eighteen patients (age: 6-28 years old) with 23 amblyopic eyes were recruited. Patients whose best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) is lower than their age-based norms are included. Patients with retinal disorders and mental health conditions were excluded. All subjects stayed in the dark room for 10 days. They were followed for 1-3 weeks after DE while visual training was performed.

Results : A rapid vision improvement was observed after DE. The mean of BCVA from all patients was 0.55 logMAR before DE and became 0.24 logMAR measured after DE & visual training. The difference was significant (P=0.0056). The BCVA is also improved in adult patients. No vision loss was observed in all patients.

Conclusions : DE is a safe and effective approach for vision improvement in amblyopia. Thus, it could be a new way for refractory amblyopia treatment and for further amblyopia research on human patients.

This abstract was presented at the 2022 ARVO Annual Meeting, held in Denver, CO, May 1-4, 2022, and virtually.