New treatment for amblyopia using virtual reality games

Novel Amblyopia Treatment With Dichoptic, Disparity-guided, Hand-Eye Coordination Enhanced, Serious, Virtual Reality Games

Not applicable Interventional Ohio State University · NCT06049459

This study is testing if playing virtual reality games can help children with amblyopia see better when compared to just wearing glasses.

Quick facts

PhaseNot applicable
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment8 (estimated)
Ages5 Years to 17 Years
SexAll
SponsorOhio State University Academic / other
Locations1 site (Columbus, Ohio)
Trial IDNCT06049459 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of a 16-week treatment using Vivid Vision Therapeutic Virtual Reality Games compared to traditional optical correction (glasses) alone in children aged 5-17 with amblyopia. Participants will undergo two treatment periods: the first period will involve continued use of glasses, while the second period will incorporate virtual reality games for approximately 25 minutes a day, six days a week. The study will assess improvements in visual acuity, binocularity, contrast sensitivity, attention, oculomotor function, visual-motor integration, and overall quality of life. Each participant will serve as their own control, allowing for a direct comparison of the two treatment approaches.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are children aged 5 to 17 with moderate to severe unilateral amblyopia and specific visual acuity criteria.

Not a fit: Patients with significant myopia, previous ocular surgeries, or certain ocular co-morbidities may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this treatment could significantly improve visual outcomes and quality of life for children with amblyopia.

How similar studies have performed: While this approach is innovative, similar studies using virtual reality for amblyopia treatment have shown promising results, indicating potential for success.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

Patients ages 5 to 17 years of age

* Moderate to severe unilateral amblyopia (logMAR best corrected visual acuity 0.3 to 1.3) associated with anisometropia and/or strabismus of ≤5pd
* Age normal VA in the nonamblyopic eye
* Spectacle correction (if required) worn for at least 16 weeks, or until stability of VA is demonstrated (\<0.1 logMAR change by the same testing method measured on 2 exams at least 8 weeks apart)
* Interocular difference of ≥ 3 lines
* No amblyopia treatment in the past 2 weeks
* An interpupillary distance of 52-72 mm (inclusive)

Exclusion Criteria:

* Myopia greater than -6.00 diopters (D) spherical equivalent in either eye.
* Previous intraocular or refractive surgery.
* Previous dichoptic treatment \> 2 weeks in duration
* Ocular co-morbidity that may reduce visual acuity determined by an ocular examination performed within the past 7 months (Note: nystagmus per se does not exclude the participant if the above visual acuity criteria are met).
* Diplopia more than once per week over the last week prior to enrollment by parental report.
* Down syndrome or cerebral palsy.
* Light-induced seizures
* Known simulator sickness
* Severe developmental delay that would interfere with treatment or evaluation (in the opinion of the investigator). Participants with mild speech delay or reading and/or learning disabilities are not excluded.

Where this trial is running

Columbus, Ohio

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Amblyopia
Last reviewed 2026-06-09 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.