Title

Perceptual-Motor Training for Peripheral Prism Glasses for People with Hemianopia and/or Spatial Neglect

SERI  Protocol ID

2011-07

Condition

Hemianopia and/or spatial neglect

Sponsor

Department of Defense

Principal Investigator

Alex Bowers PhD and Eli Peli, M.Sc., O.D.

Study Design

This study involves multiple visits. Participants will be fitted with peripheral prism glasses (“Peli” lenses) and will then receive multiple training sessions. Performance without and with the prism glasses will be evaluated in a series of tasks in virtual reality environments.

Study Objective

Both hemianopia (loss of half the field of vision) and spatial neglect (inattention to one side) cause difficulties in detecting objects on the affected side, resulting in unsafe walking. In this study we are evaluating the effectiveness of peripheral expansion prism glasses (“Peli” lenses) combined with a new computerized training regimen in helping people with hemianopia and/or neglect detect and avoid obstacles on the affected side. The expansion prism glasses use high power prism segments embedded in a regular spectacle lens to project areas from the affected (blind/neglected) side onto the unaffected (seeing) side. The purpose of the training is to help people learn how to interpret the information from the prisms.

Who is Eligible

Individuals diagnosed with hemianopia and/or spatial neglect

Subject Enrollment

We are currently enrolling individuals with hemianopia and/or spatial neglect. Potential participants will be screened on their first visit to determine eligibility.

Study Procedures

If you agree to participate in this study and meet the selection criteria, you will be fit for a pair of prism glasses. After wearing the prism glasses at home for several weeks you will then complete a series of training sessions. Each session will be about 1-2 hours, with about 2 sessions a week for up to 4 weeks. The training involves looking at the center of a computer screen and touching targets that appear in other parts of the screen. Your ability to detect obstacles in virtual reality environments will be measured without and with the prism glasses before and after the training. At the end of the study we will discuss with you whether you should continue to wear the prism glasses in the longer term.

For More Information

Doris Apfelbaum (617)912-2505 or

Jeff Churchill (617)912-2526

VisionTrials@schepens.harvard.edu