Visual rehabilitation for children with low vision using in-person and telehealth methods

The Effectiveness of In-person and Telehealth Visual Rehabilitation for Children With Low Vision

This study is testing if special visual exercises, using both in-person and online methods, can help children with low vision see better and improve their visual skills.

Quick facts

• Phase: Not applicable
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 200 (estimated)
• Ages: 1 Month to 12 Years
• Sex: All
• Sponsor: National Taiwan University Hospital (Academic / other)
• Locations: 1 site (Taipei)
• Trial ID: NCT06701617 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This study aims to enhance visual function in children with low vision through restorative visual rehabilitation techniques. It focuses on two primary objectives: first, to assess the impact of flickering black-and-white checkerboard patterns on visual development in children with mild to moderate low vision, and second, to create a tailored visual stimulation program for children with severe disabilities and visual impairments. The study will involve 200 children with various visual disorders and will utilize eye-tracking technology to validate new assessment methods. Interventions will include passive visual stimulation delivered through engaging visual materials to support visual learning.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates include children aged 12 years or younger with mild to moderate low vision or severe disabilities accompanied by visual impairments.

Not a fit: Patients with significant refractive errors who cannot cooperate with corrective measures or those unable to adapt to the training environment may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could significantly improve visual function and quality of life for children with low vision.

How similar studies have performed: Other studies have shown promise in using visual stimulation techniques for children with low vision, indicating potential for success in this approach.

Eligibility criteria

Passive visual stimulation group

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Children aged less than or equal to 12 years old.
2. The causes of visual disorder in children are unlimited.
3. The acuity of children's better eye ranges between hand move and 0.2.
4. Children with multiple disabilities and visual disorders typically exhibit developmental levels ranging from moderate to severe or below.
5. The parents of these children exhibit a positive attitude and are willing to cooperate with visual learning programs.
6. Infants under 1 year old with low vision without other developmental issues , under or equal to moderate developmental issues.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Significant refractive errors that affect acuity but are unable to cooperate with wearing corrective glasses in two training sessions.
2. Requires patching for monocular vision rehabilitation but is unable to cooperate with patching in two training sessions.
3. The individual is unable to adapt to the training environment and cooperate with visual learning in two sessions due to unstable emotions or difficulty adapting to the environment.

Perceptual learning group Inclusion Criteria

1. Children aged less than or equal to 12 years old.
2. No restrictions on the causes of visual impairment in children.
3. Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) in the better eye is equal to or better than 0.02.
4. If children have additional developmental issues, their disability severity should primarily be mild or moderate.
5. The primary caregiver demonstrates a positive attitude and is willing to cooperate with the visual training program.
6. The child is capable of completing calibration with an eye-tracking device. Exclusion Criteria

(1)Significant refractive errors that severely affect vision, where the child cannot adapt to wearing corrective glasses within two training sessions.

(2)Requires occlusion therapy for monocular visual rehabilitation but cannot cooperate with occlusion within two training sessions.

(3)Inability to adapt to the training environment or cooperate with visual training due to emotional instability or difficulty adjusting within two training sessions.

(4)Unstable physiological conditions (e.g., epilepsy, sleep disturbances) that prevent consistent participation in visual training.

Where this trial is running

Taipei

• Department of Occupational Therapy, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University — Taipei, Taiwan (Recruiting)

Study contacts

• Study coordinator: Li-Ting Tsai, PhD

Conditions Visual Rehabilitation; Oddball Design; Cerebral Visual Impairment; Passive Visual Stimulation; Perceptual Learning; visual rehabilitation; visual stimulation; perceptual learning