Software helps myopic kids see better

The Straits Times, April 23, 2008By Lee Hui Chieh

TRAINING the eyes of short-sighted children with a special computer program - for just 30 minutes every other day over 10 weeks - improves their vision, a trial here has found.

After training, 31 primary school pupils could read an average of two lines farther down a typical 11-tier eye chart. An improvement of three lines means one can see something from twice as far as before. The level of improvement stayed the same after a year, and is expected to be long term. On average, children in the trial by the Singapore Eye Research Institute saw their myopia worsen at almost half the typical rate for those their age.

Institute director Donald Tan, who led the trial, said: 'We're very excited. The results have exceeded our expectations. If it works on a larger scale, it will have a profound effect on myopia here.'

Myopia, or short-sightedness, occurs often when the eyeball grows too long, leaving the eye unable to see distant objects clearly. More Singaporean children become short-sighted, and at a faster rate, than children elsewhere. About four in five aged 18 here are myopic, double that in the United States. Myopia rises by 80 to 100 degrees a year for those aged six to 10 here, against 50 degrees in US children.

The computer program, called NeuroVision, improves eyesight by training the brain to better distinguish shapes that do not stand out from the background and to 'sharpen' the images seen by the eye. The patient clicks the mouse button when he sees images flashing on the computer screen; images flash by more quickly or become fainter. After treatment, one sees images more clearly because the brain processes them better, even though the physical shape of the eyes and the degree of myopia remain unchanged.

Studies have shown that, for reasons unknown, an eye that is exposed long term to blurred visuals will become even more short-sighted. The program is believed to slow myopia progression in children by doing the opposite - making the eye see more clearly than usual.

Prof Tan said: 'This is a very attractive option as it uses no drugs, no surgery and causes no side effects.' The trial, which involved Primary 2 and 3 pupils from Evergreen Primary School, was conducted from June 2006 to January this year.

Vivienne Lee, 10, who can see more clearly now, said: 'My myopia was worsening so quickly, I was worried I would go blind. Now it's better.' The institute plans to start a larger trial involving 300 to 400 pupils later this year. NeuroVision, first developed for adults with mild myopia, was introduced here in 2004. The children's version was launched here in 2006.

Four variations for other eye problems have also been developed by the same American company.