"There is one thing even more vital to science than intelligent
methods; and that is, the sincere desire to find out
the truth, whatever it may be."
–Charles Pierce
Neuroplasticity Therapy
Visual Restoration Therapy is a new treatment based on the concept of neuroplasticity of the brain, the ability for the brain to reprogram itself. Neuroplasticity describes the brain’s potential to form or change neural connections in response to new information, stimulation, development, dysfunction, or damage.
While this is a very exciting idea, that if successful, could offer great potential to help hemianopsia patients, unfortunately it still remains a controversial concept. The controversy is whether earlier results which appeared to show that VRT could increase visual fields by about 5 degrees failed to control patient fixation adequately during the research. Test patients may have learned to make quick saccades into the blind area rather than regaining visual field. Recent studies using the Scanning Laser Ophthalmoscope to carefully control the patient’s fixations have shown much less potential improvements in the visual field loss.
There are outstanding researchers and physicians on both sides of this issue. As more studies are completed, we will have a better understanding where VRT should fit within our clinical care for hemianopsia patients. We elected to not become an Advanced Care Center for VRT until further studies were done.
However, Novavision, the company offering the VRT therapy, is now being sold off as part of a bankruptcy.
Please contact us if you have any questions.
The Low Vision Centers of Indiana
Richard L. Windsor, O.D., F.A.A.O., D.P.N.A.P.
Craig A. Ford, O.D., F.A.A.O.
Laura K. Windsor, O.D., F.A.A.O.
Ali E. Prible, O.D.
Indianapolis (317) 844-0919
Fort Wayne (260) 432-0575
Hartford City (765) 348-2020