Reading Training with Threshold Stimuli in People with Central Vision Loss A Feasibility Study

Authors

Tarita-Nistor, Luminita; Brent, Michael H.; Steinbach, Martin J.; Markowitz, Samuel N.; González, Esther G.

Reading Training with Threshold Stimuli in People with Central Vision Loss A Feasibility Study

publication date

Abstract/Introduction

Purpose

To evaluate the effectiveness of a perceptual learning technique for improving reading performance of patients with central vision loss and to explore whether this learning generalizes to other visual functions.

Methods

Ten patients with central vision loss were trained binocularly, in four consecutive sessions, with serially presented words printed at each patient’s reading acuity limit. Patients read 10 blocks of 100 words in each session. They were encouraged to read the whole word and were discouraged to read letter by letter. Assessment sessions before and after training measured fixation stability, monocular and binocular visual acuity, as well as reading acuity, critical print size, and maximum reading speed with continuous text. Another six patients with central vision loss were included in a test-retest control group and were tested twice, 1 week apart, with no intervention.

Conclusion/Results

Results

The average time required to read a block of trials decreased significantly with each training session. After training, continuous text reading improved in terms of reading acuity (p = 0.017) and maximum reading speed (p = 0.01), but critical print size did not change. Binocular acuity improved significantly from an average of 0.54 logMAR before training to 0.44 logMAR after training. Binocular ratio (better eye acuity/binocular acuity) increased from an average of 1.0 before training to 1.17 after training. There was a 62% improvement in fixation stability in the better eye and 58% in the worse eye. There were no changes in the outcome measures for the test-retest control group.

Conclusions

The technique described in this article can be used for vision rehabilitation of patients with central vision loss. When training is done with size threshold stimuli, learning generalizes to visual acuity, continuous text reading, and fixation stability.

Testimonials

Vision therapy is well worth the response, time and effort. Our Son had a hard time focusing and writing neatly. After vision therapy Seth could complete a task in half the time if previously took. His abilities to focus improved greatly and so did his handwriting.

Also, he was better at listening. As a parent, we wanted learning to be fun for our Son, and vision therapy made this possible.

Amanda T.

Vision Therapy is well worth the expense, time and effort. Our son had a hard time focusing handwriting neatly. After vision therapy Seth could complete a task in half the time it previously took his abilities to focus and improved greatly and so did his handwriting.

Also, he was better at listening. As a parent you wanted learning to be fun for our son and vision therapy made this possible.

Alexa H.

Vision Therapy has given or son the tools he needs to be able to scan and read the written word more effectively and efficiently.

He love working with John and these working sessions give him the motivation to gladly work on his homework assignments.

It amazed us to see the difference in the tracking of his eyes and along a line of it's from the beginning to the end of the treatment.

Dr. McBryar , Kristen and John are all marvelous and we would recommend them to anyone I only wish that we would have found them sooner!

Charlotte M.

Prior to coming to the institute for vision development my son complained of daily headaches. Therapy has eliminated his headaches completely. I love knowing my son is able to learn pain-free for the rest of his life because of the work that has been done over just a few weeks in this office. He he absolutely loved coming that didn't even feel like going to a doctor or therapy. We are grateful for the relief he was able to find by coming here.

Thank you!

Olivia C.

Seems much less frustrated with life

Reads non-stop and fast

Spelling abilities have been hugely improved

Seems much more confident

Thank You!!!

Kelly O.

When we first came to the practice, my son did not have huge issues, but lots of small ones- trouble with reading, sports (hitting the baseball consistently), coordination, etc- that were not easily detectable,but when put together presented issues. The staff here were all very professional and loving towards him. While I was concerned in the reading, my son was concerned with the athletic side. Seeing improvement night off the bat gave him confidence that i have nor seen in him and made him want to not only Come to therapy, but also made him want to work hard. He has surpassed his grade level and above in reading and hit his first home run this year! Thank you!!!