Noninvasive brain stimulation plus augmented reality vision therapy for anisometropic amblyopia in adults

Is this trial a fit for you?

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

This randomized, double-blind, sham-controlled trial investigates whether combining high-definition transcranial direct current stimulation with augmented reality–based dichoptic therapy improves visual function in adults aged 18–40 with unilateral anisometropic amblyopia. All participants receive the same AR therapy for 10 weeks; during the first 2 weeks they also receive either active or sham HD-tDCS. Primary outcomes include best-corrected visual acuity and depth perception, with secondary measures of contrast sensitivity, interocular suppression, and retinal/visual cortex function. The study leverages individualized contrast adjustments to rebalance binocular input and aims to assess potential neuroplastic gains in adult amblyopia. Enrollment is limited to adults meeting specific anisometropic amblyopia criteria and exclusions to minimize safety risks.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

Inclusion Criteria:

* Age between 18 and 40 years.
* Diagnosis of anisometropic amblyopia.
* Unilateral amblyopia with an interocular difference of at least 2 lines in best-corrected visual acuity, with visual acuity worse than 20/32 in the worse-seeing eye.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Any type of amblyopia other than anisometropic amblyopia.
* Bilateral amblyopia.
* Ophthalmological or neuro-ophthalmological disease other than amblyopia.
* Neurological disease.
* Chronic pharmacological treatment.
* Presence of an implanted medical device.
* Any ocular surgery or treatment within the previous year.
* Significant ocular media opacities.
* Previous treatment with transcranial direct current stimulation or another non-invasive brain stimulation technique.
* Pregnancy or planning to become pregnant during the study period.
* Inability to provide informed consent.
* History of head trauma, seizures, or frequent headaches.
* Electrical or electronic implants, such as a cardiac pacemaker.
* Metallic objects or implants in the head, except dental implants.

Where it's running

• Coimbra Institute for Biomedical Imaging and Translational Research (CIBIT), University of Coimbra
  Coimbra, Coimbra District, Portugal Recruiting
• RISE-Health, Center for Translational Health and Medical Biotechnology Research (TBIO), School of Health, Polytechnic of Porto
  Porto, Porto District, Portugal Recruiting

Study contacts

• Study coordinator: Catarina A Mateus, PhD
• Email: cms@ess.ipp.pt
• Phone: +351 913474780

Similar studies

Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.

• Augmented Reality Binocular Therapy for Adult Amblyopia

  This trial tests a home-based augmented reality binocular therapy to see if it improves vision in adults 18–40 with anisometropic amblyopia, compared with placebo training.

  Recruiting at 2 sites Polytechnic Institute of Porto · Coimbra, Coimbra District and 1 other locations · NCT07819552

• Psilocybin-assisted therapy to help adults with amblyopia see more clearly

  This study tests whether a single or small doses of psilocybin can boost the effectiveness of amblyopia treatment in adults.

  Recruiting Phase 1/2 Johns Hopkins University · Baltimore, Maryland · NCT07920081

• Gabor-based visual training for adults with amblyopia

  This study tests a computer-based Gabor training program to see if it can improve vision in adults aged 18–39 with amblyopia due to anisometropia or strabismus.

  Recruiting Shanghai Eye Disease Prevention and Treatment Center · Shanghai · NCT07764198

• tDCS for paediatric amblyopia

  This study tests whether non-invasive brain stimulation (tDCS) can improve vision for children aged 4–14 with amblyopia who didn’t get enough help from patching.

  Recruiting Universidad de Murcia · Murcia · NCT07547670

• Gamified visual training with occlusion for kids with anisometropic amblyopia

  This trial tests two kid-friendly digital games plus patching to see if they improve vision and motivation in children aged 4–7 with anisometropic amblyopia compared with patching alone.

  Recruiting Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine · Shanghai, Shanghai Municipality · NCT07472231

• Combined fluoxetine and patching to improve and maintain vision in amblyopia using OCTA and VEP

  This project will test whether adding fluoxetine to standard eye patching helps improve and maintain vision in people over 10 with amblyopia.

  Recruiting Minia University · Minya, Minya Governorate · NCT07417046

How to take part

1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.