Video games vs eye patches: a new hope for lazy eye?
NCT ID NCT02365090
First seen Aug 25, 2026 · Last updated Aug 26, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This trial tests whether playing binocular iPad games can improve vision in children with amblyopia (lazy eye) better than the standard treatment of patching. Children aged 4-14 with amblyopia will either play the games or wear a patch, and their visual acuity and eye coordination will be measured. The goal is to see if the games can reduce suppression of the weaker eye and offer a more enjoyable treatment option.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- binocular iPad games
- What this could lead to
- If effective, binocular iPad games could offer a more engaging alternative to patching for improving vision in children with amblyopia.
- What could go wrong
- The trial is relatively small and early, so results may not be conclusive. The games may not improve vision as much as patching, and not all children may respond.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
-
Not a phased trial
Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.
- Participants
-
About 96 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Start date
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Feb 2015
- Expected to finish
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Dec 2027
An estimate. End dates often move.
- Lead sponsor
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Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
-
4 to 14 years
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
-
Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: Age 4-14 years Female and male Amblyopia with amblyopic eye visual acuity 20/40-20/125, fellow eye visual acuity 20/16-20/25, and interocular difference in visual acuity of 3 lines or more. Anisometropic (with or without microtropia) or fully accommodative esotropia (no tropia present with glasses), or deprivation amblyopia Wearing glasses (if needed) for 8 weeks or no change in visual acuity with glasses wear for 4-6 weeks. Must be able to demonstrate understanding and ability to play the Dig Rush game app during the enrollment visit. Signed informed consent obtained Exclusion Criteria: Prematurity ≥8 weeks Coexisting ocular or systemic disease Developmental delay Poor ocular alignment (strabismus \>5 prism diopters)
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
-
Retina Foundation of the Southwest
Dallas, Texas, 75231, United States
More trials for these conditions
Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
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