Binocular iPad game does not benefit children with amblyopia

This multicenter randomized clinical trial investigated whether a binocular Dig Rush iPad game could improve vision in children with amblyopia.

Study design

Investigators randomized 138 eligible participants with amblyopia between the age of 7 and 12 years to receive 8 weeks of either binocular treatment with spectacles (if needed) or continued spectacles alone (if needed). Baseline vision in the amblyopic eye ranged between 20/200 to 20/40. Participants were required to have at least 16 weeks of spectacle wear (if needed) before enrollment or demonstrated no improvement in amblyopic-eye VA (<0.1 logMAR improvement) with current spectacle correction over 2 consecutive visits at least 8 weeks apart.

Outcomes

At 4 weeks, mean amblyopic-eye VA improved from baseline by 1.3 letters with binocular treatment and by 1.7 with continued spectacle correction alone. After adjusting for baseline vision, the difference between groups was –0.3 letters (P=0.71); vision was comparable between the groups at 8 weeks.

Limitations

This was a well-randomized and well-conducted study. Parents reported an average of 75% adherence to the binocular treatment.

Clinical significance

The binocular Dig Rush iPad game was not beneficial in the 7- to 12-year age group, but could potentially be useful in a younger age group. The game should be further investigated in younger patients.