Recovery of depth perception in adults with abnormal binocular vision

Our goal in this study was to determine the efficacy, time course and mechanisms underlying the improvement of stereo vision using 3D virtual reality (VR) games to improve depth perception in adults with a history of abnormal early visual experience due to strabismus, anisometropia and/or amblyopia. Participants engaged in 30 home-based training sessions, supplemented by 5 in-lab assessments to monitor progress. The training protocol utilized a diverse set of VR games targeting stereoacuity, anti-suppression, and binocular alignment. The stereo training games employed various depth cues to facilitate stereo vision recovery. Clinical, psychophysical and virtual reality tests were conducted to evaluate changes in stereoacuity, binocular balance, and interocular alignment. Results revealed significant improvements in stereoacuity for most participants following training, whereas outcomes for binocular balance and ocular alignment were more variable. Together, these findings suggest that VR-based training can reliably enhance stereoacuity in adults with abnormal visual histories, though individual variability highlights the need for personalized approaches and further investigation of underlying mechanisms.