Completion of rater-blinded, randomized controlled trial demonstrating efficacy of video games for vision therapy

The iCare SBIR Phase IIB program (National Eye Institute grant 5R44EY021079) culminated in a multi-site rater-blinded, randomized controlled trial (RCT) involving a total of 9 optometry/vision therapy practices around the U.S. and participation of 92 children between the ages of 4 and 18.  An amblyopia branch of the study compared 12 weeks of home therapy using iCare to occlusion therapy (patching) in patients ages 4 to 18. A convergence insufficiency (CI) branch of the study compared home therapy using iCare to pencil pushups in patients ages 8 to 18. A total of 71 subjects completed the study. For amblyopia, 20 minutes of daily iCare vision therapy was shown to as effective as 120 minutes or more per day of traditional eye patching, without the associated stigmatization. Both iCare vision therapy and pencil pushups resulted in a statistically significant improvement in binocular vision. Overall, the results support use of iCare as a low-cost at-home supplement to traditional office-based vision therapy.