Vision Rehabilitation Training With Multimodal Feedback in Central Vision Loss

NCT07577219 | Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: Saccades 2.0
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 12
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

Central vision loss from macular degeneration creates blind spots that impair reading, face recognition, and navigation. Individuals must learn to use peripheral vision, requiring retraining of eye movements. Our preliminary research using high-speed eye tracking demonstrated that people with larger scotomas have impaired eye movement control, and that single-session visual feedback training showed limited immediate benefit, though combining feedback types showed promise. This study will evaluate whether extended binocular training (5 weekly sessions) with multimodal feedback improves eye movement control in 8-15 participants with bilateral central vision loss. Unlike conventional monocular rehabilitation systems, our approach trains both eyes simultaneously using real-time visual and auditory feedback during saccadic and smooth pursuit tasks. Participants will receive gaze-contingent scotoma awareness feedback, preferred retinal locus feedback, and auditory cues while performing eye tracking exercises. Primary outcomes include saccadic accuracy (latency, landing error, amplitude) and smooth pursuit parameters (gain, tracking accuracy). Secondary outcomes include contrast sensitivity and self-reported visual function. Success could establish an evidence base for accessible home-based training using virtual reality technology, potentially benefiting millions with macular degeneration.

Conditions

Low Vision; Central Visual Impairment; Macular Degeneration

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Change in Saccadic Accuracy (Landing Error)

  Mean distance in degrees between saccade landing position and target location, measured using binocular eye tracking during visually-guided saccade tasks. Lower values indicate better accuracy.

  At First study visit - Baseline, At each training visit (week 1, week 2, week 3, week 4, week 5, and post training (week 11 )

Secondary Outcomes (6)

• Change in Saccadic Latency

  At First study visit - Baseline, At each training visit (week 1, week 2, week 3, week 4, week 5, and post training (week 11 )

• Change in Smooth Pursuit Gain

  At First study visit - Baseline, At each training visit (week 1, week 2, week 3, week 4, week 5, and post training (week 11 )

• Change in Number of Catch-up Saccades During Pursuit

  At First study visit - Baseline, At each training visit (week 1, week 2, week 3, week 4, week 5, and post training (week 11 )

• Change in Contrast Sensitivity Function

  Baseline, Post-training (Week 6)

• Change in Fixation Stability

  Baseline, Post-training (Week 6)

Study Arms (1)

Feedback Training

EXPERIMENTAL

All participants will receive binocular oculomotor training with multimodal feedback. Participants will complete 5 weekly training sessions (approximately 60 minutes each) performing saccadic and smooth pursuit eye movement exercises. Training incorporates three types of feedback presented systematically across sessions: (1) scotoma awareness feedback via gaze-contingent black circle overlay representing the blind spot, (2) preferred retinal locus (PRL) feedback via dynamic gaze-contingent ring showing real-time fixation location, and (3) auditory feedback with tone modulation indicating fixation stability, PRL accuracy, and target acquisition. Eye movements are recorded using binocular eye tracking at 2000Hz. Contrast sensitivity is assessed intermittently during training using adaptive Gabor presentations. Outcomes are measured at baseline (Week 0) and post-training (Week 6).

Behavioral: eccentric viewing training with biofeedback

Interventions

eccentric viewing training with biofeedback BEHAVIORAL

Participants will complete 5 weekly training sessions (approximately 60 minutes each) performing eye movement exercises while receiving real-time multimodal feedback. Training includes: Saccadic Training: Visually-guided saccades to targets appearing at randomized locations with instructions to use peripheral (inferior) retinal locus. Targets shift horizontally, vertically, and obliquely to train all saccadic directions. Smooth Pursuit Training: Circular pursuit of moving targets at 2.6°/s in randomized directions with instructions to maintain peripheral gaze above the target. Feedback Modalities (systematically varied across sessions):Scotoma Awareness: Gaze-contingent black circle overlay representing participant's blind spot; Preferred Retinal Locus (PRL) Feedback: Dynamic gaze-contingent ring showing real-time fixation location; Auditory Feedback: Tone modulation indicating fixation stability, PRL accuracy, and target acquisition success; Combined multimodal feedback

Feedback Training

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 14 Years+
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Child (0-17), Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• Bilateral central scotomas confirmed via computerized tangent screen Visual acuity between 20/60 and 20/200 (0.5 - 1.00 logMAR) in either eye Stable central vision loss (no change in visual acuity \>0.2 logMAR in past 6 months) Age 14 years or older, with diagnosis of macular disease Normal cognitive function (Mini-Mental State Examination score ≥24) Ability to provide informed consent and complete study visits No major hearing loss Fluent in English

You may not qualify if:

• Unstable ocular disease (e.g., ongoing treatments and/or injections) Peripheral vision loss of less than 40 degrees Conditions affecting oculomotor control independent of CVL

Sponsors & Collaborators

• New England College of Optometry: lead
• H. Eric Cushing Foundation: collaborator
• Northeastern University, Department of Psychology: collaborator

Study Sites (1)

New England College of Optometry

Boston, Massachusetts, 02115, United States

RECRUITING

Related Links

• Lab wesbite

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Vision, Low; Blindness, Cortical; Macular Degeneration

Interventions

Biofeedback, Psychology

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Vision Disorders; Sensation Disorders; Neurologic Manifestations; Nervous System Diseases; Eye Diseases; Signs and Symptoms; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms; Blindness; Retinal Degeneration; Retinal Diseases

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Mind-Body Therapies; Complementary Therapies; Therapeutics; Behavior Therapy; Psychotherapy; Behavioral Disciplines and Activities; Feedback, Psychological

Central Study Contacts

Nicole C Ross, OD

CONTACT

6175875626; rossn@neco.edu

Cecilia Idman-Rait, MPH

CONTACT

idmanraitc@neco.edu

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: NA
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: OTHER
• Intervention Model: SINGLE GROUP
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR

Model Details: The study explores a rehabilative approach for individuals with central vision loss.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: January 30, 2026
• First Posted: May 11, 2026
• Study Start: January 31, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): December 1, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): December 1, 2026
• Last Updated: May 11, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-05

Locations

US (1)