A new method of amblyopia treatment in children with unstable central and eccentric fixation using biofeedback

Abstract

   Purpose.  To develop a new method of amblyopia treatment in children with unstable central and eccentric fixation by centralizing visual fixation and increasing retinal photosensitivity in the macular region using biofeedback.   Material and methods.  The study included 27 patients (27 eyes) with amblyopia of various origins, aged 5 to 17 (averagely 9.15 ± 3.19 years), who were able to perform training sessions on the MP-3 Nidek microperimeter (Japan). In addition to standard examination, all patients underwent binocular status assessment using a four-point test, macular electroretinography, microperimetry, optical coherence tomography (OCT). The treatment, carried out on the microperimeter using visual (flickering checkerboard pattern) and sound signal biofeedback, consisted of 10—15 sessions, 10—12 minutes each. All patients were examined before treatment cycle, immediately upon the end of the cycle, and also 1 and 3 months after it.     Results.  Preliminary results showed an increase in best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) from 0.41 ± 0.24 to 0.68 ± 0.27 (33.9 %), the photosensitivity of the retina in the fovea increased from 27.07 ± 3.90 to 29.8 ± 3.3 dB (10 %), fixation density in the central region from 59.80 ± 31.08 to 72.05 ± 34.5 %(20.4 %) with its amplitude decreased by more than two times. After treatment, unstable central fixation changed to stable central fixation in all cases. With eccentric fixation, the fixation point shifted closer to the central region, and fixation characteristics improved in 75 % of cases. The obtained results retained throughout the observation period which lasted up to 3 months.   Conclusion.  The proposed new treatment method of amblyopia with impaired fixation of various degrees proved to be effective and safe and can be recommended for use in pediatric patients.