Perceptual learning promising therapy for progressive keratoconus patients intolerant to contact lenses: Study

Results

• The study demonstrated impressive improvement of vision for the patients who received perceptual learning.

• After 3 months of treatment, the PL group improved significantly more than the placebo group by -0.17 ± 0.15 logMAR compared to the placebo group which only improved by -0.02 ± 0.06 logMAR (P = 0.0006).

• In addition, this benefit was maintained at least for 6 months with the PL group having relatively better visual results than the placebo group (0.17 ± 0.17 logMAR vs. 0.01 ± 0.07 logMAR, P = 0.0011).

• Further, 47.06% (8 of 17) patients in the PL group achieved an improvement of at least 2 lines in CDVA (P = 0.0010).

• Contrast sensitivity function, also was enhanced in the PL group by a mean of 0.11 ± 0.17 log units at 3 cycles per degree and 0.12 ± 0.19 log units at 6 cycles per degree.

• In contrast, linear regression analysis revealed that subjects with poorer starting CDVA are more likely to achieve higher benefits following PL training (P = 0.009). No side effects were reported, and trainees completed the course with ease.

For those unsatisfied with spectacle-corrected visual acuity, three months of perceptual training strongly increased vision in keratoconus patients and endured at least 6 months after treatment ended. Results showed that perceptual learning may be a useful therapy to improve vision in keratoconus patients, particularly those who cannot wear contact lenses. It sheds an understanding of the potential of perceptual learning as an interesting, non-invasive treatment option in raising visual outcomes with patients bearing the keratoconus diagnosis.

Reference:

Tang, X.-H., Wang, M.-Y., Jiang, J.-Y., Zhou, F.-Q., Li, D., Chen, S.-S., Xiang, C.-Q., Lei, X.-Y., Hu, Y., & Yang, X. (2024). Vision improvement in keratoconus patients trained with perceptual learning: A randomized controlled trial. American Journal of Ophthalmology. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajo.2024.08.032