Clinical Research Directory

Clinical Trial of Multi-Periscopic Prism Glasses for Hemianopia

This clinical trial will evaluate the efficacy of two types of high-power prism glasses that provide field of view expansion for patients with homonymous hemianopia (the complete loss of half the field of vision on the same side in both eyes).

Visual Rehabilitation After Occipital Stroke

This research aims to examine changes in plastic potential of the visual system with time from stroke affecting primary visual cortex. We will measure structural and mechanistic aspects of progressive degeneration along the early visual pathways, correlating them with changes in visual performance, and in responsiveness to visual restoration training. This project will advance both scientific knowledge, as well as technical capability and clinical practices for restoring vision and quality of life for people suffering from cortical blindness.

Feasibility Test of Virtual Reality Obstacle Detection for Low Vision Walking

The investigators are developing a new test of pedestrian hazard detection in virtual reality (VR) head-mounted display (HMD) headset, which shows virtual oncoming pedestrians in 3D while subjects are walking in real-world environment, for evaluation of visual field expansion to improve mobility in people with visual field loss.

Reminder-cue Scanning Training for Homonymous Visual Field Loss

This study will evaluate a new approach to training people with visual field loss to scan when driving

Anatomical and Functional Predictions of Blindsight Capabilities in Patients With Lateral Hemianopsia

Homonymous lateral hemianopia (HLH) is characterized by loss of vision in half the visual field, and is the most common neurovisual disorder following stroke. Numerous behavioral and neuroanatomical studies have focused on the phenomenon of blindsight, corresponding to patients' unconscious residual visual capacities in the blind hemifield. Cohort studies of patients have highlighted different types of blindsight, and a low occurrence of the phenomenon initially described: (1) type 1 blindsight (≈12%), unconscious visual abilities; (2) type 2 blindsight, visual abilities associated with sensations in the blind field (≈18%); (3) blindsense, sensations in the blind field without visual abilities (≈30%); and (4) no blindsight (≈40%). The heterogeneity of these blindsight abilities in the HLH population is closely related to patients' neuroanatomical and functional profiles. In particular, resting-state functional imaging (r-fMRI) and default mode network analysis have highlighted a significant correlation between the degree of inter-hemispheric connection (between the healthy and injured hemispheres) and the rate of spontaneous visual field recovery. To our knowledge, this degree of functional connectivity has not yet been studied in relation to blindsight abilities. However, this functional MRI measurement tool represents a potential predictive factor for patients' residual performance in their blindsight field, in order to assess the level of visuo-cognitive impairment and, ultimately, to adapt care.