Research advances of microperimetric biofeedback training for low-vision rehabilitation in macular diseases

Abstract

In clinical practice, many macular diseases in advanced stages such as age-related macular degeneration(ARMD)and Stargardt disease are manifested reduced visual acuity, unstable and even paracentral fixation resulting from the central scotoma followed by the scarring of neovascular fibres or the impairment of photoreceptors and retinal pigment epithelium, which cause great distress to patients' life, work and psychology. For a long time, there have been limited rehabilitation treatments for such patients. However, recent articles have indicated that biofeedback training by using microperimetry is expected to enhance neurosensory adaptation by achieving cortical plasticity, and makes better use of residual retinal function to help those with low vision associated with central scotoma consolidate or establish stable central or paracentral fixation, thereby improving visual function including visual acuity and reading speed. In order to improve the understanding of this rehabilitation therapy, this article will overview the mechanism and protocol of microperimetric biofeedback training(MBFT), the selection of the preferred retinal locus, the clinical application in macular diseases and its prospects.

Keywords

• microperimeter
• biofeedback training
• preferred retinal locus
• macular diseases
• clinical application