Treatment of amblyopia in older adolescents using brain stimulation
Official title: Efficacy of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation in the Amblyopia Treatment of Older Adolescents: A Cohort Study
Run by Tianjin Eye Hospital · NCT06760910 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing if a brain stimulation treatment can help older teens and young adults with amblyopia see better.
Quick facts
| Study type | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Ages | 10 Years to 30 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 40 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | Tianjin Eye Hospital Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Tianjin, Tianjin Municipality) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | January 30, 2021 |
| Main results expected | May 30, 2026 |
| Study ends | December 30, 2026 |
| Registry record updated | January 7, 2025 |
| Trial ID | NCT06760910 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Ideal candidates are adolescents aged 10-30 diagnosed with unilateral or bilateral amblyopia.
✕Probably not a fit
Patients with other eye diseases, significant refractive errors, or systemic conditions like epilepsy may not benefit from this study.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
This study evaluates the effectiveness of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) in improving visual outcomes for older adolescents with amblyopia. Participants aged 10-30 will be randomly assigned to receive either active tDCS or sham stimulation over a period of six months. The study will assess changes in visual acuity and brain activity using functional MRI before and after the treatment. The goal is to determine if tDCS can enhance visual cortex plasticity and improve vision in individuals with amblyopia.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this treatment could provide a novel therapeutic option for older adolescents suffering from amblyopia, potentially improving their visual acuity.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have shown promising results using tDCS for treating amblyopia in adults, suggesting potential efficacy in this age group as well.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Children and their legal guardians have obtained consent in writing. * Participants aged 10-30, of any gender. * Participants must meet the diagnostic criteria for amblyopia: unilateral amblyopia with a difference of two lines or more in visual acuity between the eyes, or bilateral amblyopia with best-corrected visual acuity worse than 20/30 (or worse than 0.2 logMAR). The visual acuity charts to be used are LEA SYMBOLS® (Good-Lite Co., Elgin, IL) or HOTV visual acuity chart. Exclusion Criteria: * Participants who may have eye diseases affecting vision or refractive errors (such as cataracts, crystalline lens damage, glaucoma, macular degeneration, corneal disorders, retinitis pigmentosa, retinal detachment, severe vitreous opacities, etc * History of eye trauma or intraocular surgery * Inability to cooperate with examinations * Presence of concomitant systemic diseases (such as epilepsy) * Participation in any other experimental treatment within the past 3 months * Other situations deemed unsuitable by the investigator.
Where it's running
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Tianjin Eye Hospital
Tianjin, Tianjin Municipality, China Recruiting
Similar studies
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This trial tests whether adding HD-tDCS to AR-based dichoptic therapy can improve vision in adults with anisometropic amblyopia.
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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.
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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.
How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.