Combining Noninvasive Brain Stimulation and Augmented Reality-based Dichoptic Therapy for Treating Amblyopic Adults

Summary

The goal of this clinical trial is to learn whether adding noninvasive brain stimulation to augmented reality-based vision therapy can improve vision in adults aged 18 to 40 years with unilateral anisometropic amblyopia, commonly called "lazy eye." Anisometropic amblyopia develops during childhood when the two eyes have different focusing powers and the brain relies more on one eye than the other.

The main questions this study aims to answer are:

* Does active high-definition transcranial direct current stimulation (HD-tDCS) improve best-corrected visual acuity in the amblyopic eye and depth perception more than sham stimulation?
* Does the combined treatment improve contrast sensitivity, suppression between the eyes, and measures of retinal and visual brain function?

All participants will receive the same augmented reality-based dichoptic therapy. This therapy presents different visual information to each eye and lowers the contrast seen by the stronger eye. This gives the weaker, amblyopic eye a visual advantage and encourages both eyes to work together while participants carry out normal daily activities.

During the first 2 weeks, participants will also receive either active HD-tDCS or sham stimulation immediately before the augmented reality therapy. Active HD-tDCS delivers a weak electrical current through small electrodes placed on the scalp. Sham stimulation uses the same equipment and procedures, but the current is applied only briefly at the beginning. Comparing the two groups will help researchers determine whether active brain stimulation provides additional benefits beyond those of augmented reality therapy alone.

Participants will:

* Complete 40-minute augmented reality therapy sessions four times per week for 10 weeks.
* Receive eight 20-minute sessions of active or sham HD-tDCS during the first 2 weeks, immediately before the augmented reality therapy.
* Attend assessment visits before treatment, after 2 weeks, and after 10 weeks. These visits will include vision tests, retinal imaging, tests of retinal function, and brain imaging.

Conditions

• Amblyopia
• Anisometropic Amblyopia

Interventions

DEVICE

Active High-Definition Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation

Active high-definition transcranial direct current stimulation will be delivered using a Soterix MxN-33 stimulator and a 4 × 1 electrode montage targeting the primary visual cortex. The central anodal electrode will be positioned at Oz, with four return electrodes positioned at PO3, PO4, PO7, and PO8. A current of 2.0 mA will be delivered for 20 minutes, including a 30-second ramp-up period at the beginning and a 30-second ramp-down period at the end of stimulation. Participants will receive eight sessions during the first 2 weeks, immediately before the augmented reality-based dichoptic therapy.

DEVICE

Sham High-Definition Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation

Sham high-definition transcranial direct current stimulation will use the same stimulator, electrode montage, electrode positions, and session duration as active stimulation. The current will be ramped up over 30 seconds at the beginning of the session and then ramped down over 30 seconds, with no sustained current delivered during the remainder of the session. Participants will receive eight 20-minute sessions during the first 2 weeks, immediately before the augmented reality-based dichoptic therapy.

DEVICE

Augmented Reality-Based Dichoptic Therapy

Augmented reality-based dichoptic therapy will be delivered using a Meta Quest 3 headset. Participants will complete 40-minute sessions four times per week for 10 weeks. The therapy presents different visual information to each eye and reduces the contrast presented to the stronger eye, giving the amblyopic eye a visual advantage and encouraging both eyes to work together. Visual acuity in the amblyopic eye will be assessed within the headset to guide adjustment of the contrast presented to the stronger eye. The augmented reality environment allows participants to interact with their real surroundings and perform everyday activities during therapy.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University of Coimbra

  collaborator OTHER

• Polytechnic Institute of Porto

  lead OTHER

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

TRIPLE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

18 Years

Max Age

40 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2025-05-01

Primary Completion

2027-12-31

Completion

2028-04-30

Countries

• Portugal

Study Locations