Short-term amblyopic eye deprivation boosts the binocular intermodulation in anisometropic amblyopia

Purpose: We tested whether short-term monocular deprivation (STMD) of the amblyopic eye enhances binocular intermodulation steady-state visual evoked potentials (SSVEPs), reflecting reduced suppression from the fellow eye. Methods: Fifteen anisometropic amblyopes (15.6 ± 5.8 years) underwent 2-h STMD of their fellow eye on the first day, followed by a similar session on their amblyopic eye on the second day. We recorded SSVEPs from 21 occipital electrodes pre/post STMD during binocular rivalry (6/7.5 Hz flicker). Results: < 0.001). Conclusion: STMD of the amblyopic eye, but not the fellow eye, significantly enhanced binocular SSVEP intermodulation. Baseline f1+f2 amplitude predicted the magnitude of plasticity, suggesting its potential as an electrophysiological biomarker for reverse deprivation therapy.