Visual Telerehabilitation in AMD Patients

Visual Rehabilitation in Macular Degeneration: a Pilot Study on Biofeedback Training and Home-based Mobile Virtual-reality Stimulation

Following the degeneration of the macula and the loss of central vision, the patients naturally relocate the fixation point for high visual acuity peripherally, in an eccentric and healthy part of the retina (PRL), to compensate for visual impairments. However, in many cases, the PRL lands on a sub-optimal retinal area and becomes useless. Modern low-vision rehabilitation procedures for AMD patients include biofeedback training (BFT) to relocate the PRL to a healthy retinal patch and acquire better fixation skills. This study seeks to combine BFT with home-based immersive virtual-reality audiovisual stimulation and measure feasibility and potential effectiveness on oculomotor control and visual perception.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Dry-AMD.
• BCVA > 20/160.
• Ability to follow the visual and auditory stimuli and training instructions.
• Auditory test positive at 50Hz 25-60dBHL.
• Home Wi-Fi access.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Wet AMD.
• Both eyes with media opacity that impairs microperimetry testing.
• Inability to perform during testing and training.
• Psychoactive drugs consumption.
• 3 consecutive VRISE scores < 25 at inclusion.
• History of vertigo or dizziness
• Prior vision rehabilitation interventions.