Benefits of Implementing Eye-Movement Training in the Rehabilitation of Patients with Age-Related Macular Degeneration: A Review

9.01.2024

Abstract

Age-related macular degeneration (ARMD) is one of the most debilitating eye-related illnesses worldwide. Eye-movement training is evolving to be a non-invasive, rapid, and effective method that is positively impacting vision and QoL (quality of life) in patients suffering from ARMD. This review aims to highlight why a greater adoption of eye-movement training in the clinical and research setting is of importance. A PubMed and ResearchGate search was performed for articles published between 1982 and 2020. Patients with advanced ARMD tend to experience a diminished QoL. Studies regarding eye-movement training for patients with central vision loss revealed overall significant improvements in reading speeds, fixation, and saccade performance. They also experienced less fatigue. In select studies, eye-movement training revealed an improvement in binocular vision, fixation, reading speed, and diminished reading exhaustion. The process of eye-movement training used in some of the studies was rather empirical. The latter requires standardization so that a uniform and applicable methodology can be adopted overall.

Keywords: VFI tools; age-related macular degeneration; central scotoma; eye; eye tracking quality of life; eye-movement training; macular degeneration; neuroplasticity.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35053780/

Hilal A, Bazarah M, Kapoula Z. Benefits of Implementing Eye-Movement Training in the Rehabilitation of Patients with Age-Related Macular Degeneration: A Review. Brain Sci. 2021 Dec 28;12(1):36. doi: 10.3390/brainsci12010036. PMID: 35053780; PMCID: PMC8774007.