title: Modified virtual reality technology for treatment of amblyopia.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The conventional patching/occlusion treatment for amblyopia sometimes gives disappointing results for a number of reasons: it is unpopular, prolonged, frequently resulting in poor or noncompliance, and also disrupts fusion. The aim of this research was to develop a novel virtual-reality (VR)-based display system that facilitates the treatment of amblyopia with both eyes stimulated simultaneously.
  
  
  METHODS
  We have adopted a multidisciplinary approach, combining VR expertise with a team of ophthalmologists and orthoptists to develop the Interactive Binocular Treatment (I-BiT) system. This system incorporates adapted VR technology and specially written software providing interactive 2D and 3D games and videos to the patient via a stereo (binocular) display, and a control screen for the clinician.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We developed a prototype research system designed for treatment of amblyopia in children.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The result is a novel way to treat amblyopia, which allows binocular treatment. It is interactive, and as it is partially software based, can be adapted to suit the age/ability, and needs of the patient. This means that the treatment can be made captivating and enjoyable. Further research is on-going to determine the efficacy of this new modality in the treatment of amblyopia.
authors.affiliation: Virtual Reality Applications Research Team (VIRART), University of Nottingham, UK. richard.eastgate@nottingham.ac.uk
authors.forename: R M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Eastgate
authors.forename: G D
authors.initials: GD
authors.lastname: Griffiths
authors.forename: P E
authors.initials: PE
authors.lastname: Waddingham
authors.forename: A D
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Moody
authors.forename: T K H
authors.initials: TK
authors.lastname: Butler
authors.forename: S V
authors.initials: SV
authors.lastname: Cobb
authors.forename: I F
authors.initials: IF
authors.lastname: Comaish
authors.forename: S M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Haworth
authors.forename: R M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Gregson
authors.forename: I M
authors.initials: IM
authors.lastname: Ash
authors.forename: S M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Brown
mesh_terms: D000550:Amblyopia / Q000628:therapy*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003196:Computer Graphics; D003198:Computer Simulation; D003199:Computer Systems; D006801:Humans; D010775:Photic Stimulation / Q000379:methods; D012984:Software; D013813:Therapy, Computer-Assisted / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D015348:Vision, Binocular