Training improves glaucoma-induced visual field defects

Article

Repetitive activation of residual vision with training of the visual field borders and areas of residual vision can improve visual field defects caused by glaucoma and increase detection sensitivity, according to results from a randomized clinical trial.

Repetitive activation of residual vision with training of the visual field borders and areas of residual vision can improve visual field defects caused by glaucoma and increase detection sensitivity, according to results from a randomized clinical trial published in JAMA Ophthalmology. A new rehabilitation treatment option for such patients may involve behavioural computer-based, online-controlled vision training.

Behavioural vision training has been shown to improve visual fields in hemianopia and optic nerve damage. For this prospective, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial, researchers gathered a volunteer sample of patients with glaucoma in an ambulatory care and home training setting.

Patients were a mean age of 61.7 years, all with stable visual fields and well-controlled IOPs. Interventions consisted of computer-based vision restoration training for glaucoma (n = 15) or visual discrimination placebo training in the intact visual field (n = 15).

Vision restoration training brought about significant detection accuracy gains in high-resolution perimetry (P = 0.007) not found with white-on-white or blue-on-yellow perimetry. In addition, Pre- to post-differences after training were greater compared with placebo in all perimetry tests (P = 0.02 for high-resolution perimetry; P = 0.04 for both white-on-white and for blue-on-yellow). All results were independent of eye movements.

Vision restoration training for glaucoma but not placebo led to a faster reaction time (P = 0.009). Patients' vision-related quality of life was unaffected, but patients' health-related quality-of-life mental health domain increased in both the vision restoration training and placebo groups.

To view the abstract of this study, click here.

Newsletter

Get the essential updates shaping the future of pharma manufacturing and compliance—subscribe today to Pharmaceutical Technology and never miss a breakthrough.

Recent Videos
Omer Trivizki, MD, MBA, a retina specialist from Tel Aviv Medical Center, speaks about VOY-101, a Novel, Complement-Modulating Gene Therapy for Geographic Atrophy at the American Society of Retina Specialists (ASRS) Annual Meeting
João Pedro Marques, MD, MSc, PhD discusses a retrospective study of 800 patients with inherited retinal diseases during the American Society of Retina Specialists (ASRS) annual meeting
Christine Curcio, PhD, of the University of Alabama at Birmingham Heersink School of Medicine, shares histology update and revised nomenclature for OCT with Sheryl Stevenson of the Eye Care Network and Ophthalmology Times
© 2025 MJH Life Sciences

All rights reserved.