Virtual reality game helps train 'lazy eye'

Virtual reality computer games could be the answer for correcting amblyopia, scientists have discovered.

The researchers at Nottingham University claim that using virtual reality encourages both eyes to work together so achieving improved vision, compared to the traditional eye patch method which can result in double vision after treatment.

In experiments, led by Richard Eastgate of the university's Virtual Reality Applications Research Team, a computer racing game sent images of the player's own car to the amblyopic eye and of the other cars to the stronger eye.

Obstacles on the track were then sent alternately to each eye putting emphasis on the amblyopic eye while encouraging them to work together.
'The traditional eye patch method needs 400 hours of treatment but using the VR method achieves the same effect in an hour,' said Eastgate.