Clinical Research Directory

Attention-based Binocular Training for Impaired Stereopsis (BRAVE)

This study evaluates a novel attention-based binocular visual search training paradigm designed to improve stereopsis (stereo vision) in individuals with impaired binocular vision. Disruptions in balanced binocular input, such as from strabismus or anisometropia, often lead to deficient stereo vision, causing daily visuomotor limitations. While traditional therapies focus on monocular acuity, they frequently fail to restore stereopsis, especially in adults. The investigators propose a unique dichoptic visual search training method that embeds binocular disparity inside an attention-demanding task, encouraging cooperative binocular integration. Participants aged 18-39 with impaired stereopsis will be randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to either the active training group (disparity-embeded task) or the active control group (identical task with zero disparity). Both groups complete 5 training sessions over 5-6 weeks. Assessments will occur at baseline, immediately post-training, and at a 12-week follow-up. The primary objective is to determine if the active training group shows significantly greater improvements in local stereoacuity compared to the control group.

Visual Influences on Vestibular Adaptation

The goal of this study is to learn whether a balance-training exercise called incremental vestibulo-ocular reflex adaptation (IVA) is safe and effective for adults with vision impairments, with or without additional vestibular (inner-ear balance) problems. The main questions it aims to answer are: * Does IVA cause only mild, temporary symptoms and no serious adverse events? * Does IVA improve eye-movement reflexes, balance, and walking, and do these improvements differ between people with vision problems alone and those with both vision and vestibular impairments? Researchers will compare adults with vision impairment only to adults who have both vision and vestibular impairments to see whether the groups respond differently to IVA. Participants will: * Complete symptom ratings before and after IVA * Undergo tests of vestibular reflexes (e.g., VOR gain) * Complete balance and walking assessments