Learning Study: Improving Vision in Adults With Macular Degeneration

Launched by UNIVERSITY OF WATERLOO · Feb 16, 2021

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is studying a new way to help improve reading ability in adults with macular degeneration, a condition that affects central vision. The researchers want to find out if a type of brain stimulation, called anodal transcranial direct current stimulation (a-tDCS), can work together with training exercises to help participants see and read better. Participants will be divided into two groups: one will receive the real brain stimulation while the other will receive a fake version that doesn’t have any effect. By comparing the reading abilities before and after the training sessions, the researchers hope to see if the brain stimulation really makes a difference.

To be eligible for this study, participants should be diagnosed with age-related macular degeneration (AMD) if they are 60 years or older, or juvenile macular degeneration (JMD) if they are 18 or older. They also need to have certain levels of vision and report stable eyesight for the last three months. However, people with severe hearing loss, other eye diseases, or certain health issues may not be able to participate. Those who join the study can expect to attend six training sessions where they will practice reading while receiving brain stimulation. This research could lead to new treatments that help improve vision in people with macular degeneration, alongside traditional eye care methods.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • 1. Diagnosis of AMD (age 60+) or JMD (current age 18+).
• • 2. Visual acuity (VA); between 6/9-6/96 in the better eye
• • 3. Best-corrected near visual acuity of 4.0M at 40 cm or better in the better eye
• • 4. Stable vision in previous 3 months (patient report)
• • 5. Central vision loss
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • 1. Diagnosed dementia.
• • 2. Not fluent in reading English (Waterloo) or Chinese characters (Hong Kong).
• • 3. Any ocular surgery (including anti-vegF injections) within the duration of the study, except for: A. Chronic and continuous injections for at least 1 year. B. Injections stopped at least 2 months before participation. C. Injections in the untested eye
• • 4. Ocular pathology other than JMD or AMD that can significantly reduce central vision. Example: mild cataract of grade 2 or below is acceptable
• • 5. Severe hearing impairment.
• • 6. Contraindications for brain stimulation