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(TBI), stroke, or neurodegenerative diseases 2. VIRTUAL REALITY (VR) INTEGRATION
like Alzheimer's, often coincide with visual
processing issues. Therefore, targeting visual Virtual reality (VR) technology has
pathways and enhancing their function can have revolutionised vision therapy by offering
a direct impact on cognitive abilities, especially immersive environments that engage patients in
in memory recall and recognition tasks. complex visual and memory tasks. VR provides
a controlled, stimulating environment where
VISION THERAPY: A HOLISTIC patients can interact with 3D objects and perform
APPROACH recognition exercises that would be difficult
to replicate in a traditional clinical setting. The
Vision therapy aims to train the brain to
better interpret visual inputs by strengthening interactive nature of VR allows therapists to track
the neural connections responsible for visual eye movements, focus shifts, and response times,
processing. Traditionally used to treat binocular providing valuable data on a patient's progress.
vision disorders, amblyopia, and strabismus, Furthermore, VR applications have proven
vision therapy has expanded to address more effective in treating conditions such as visual
complex neurological functions, including neglect and memory loss in post-stroke patients.
visual memory recognition. It utilises a series The ability to simulate real-world environments
of personalised exercises and tasks designed within VR makes it an ideal tool for rehabilitation,
to improve visual acuity, coordination, and encouraging visual processing in a way that
cognitive processing. mimics everyday memory challenges.
In cases of memory recognition deficits, vision 3. EYE TRACKING AND COGNITIVE
therapy works by reinforcing the brain’s ability to LOAD MONITORING
process and store visual information efficiently.
This is achieved through activities that challenge Advances in eye-tracking technology have
the patient's memory while simultaneously enabled more precise monitoring of how
engaging their visual pathways. Techniques such individuals process visual stimuli and recognise
as eye tracking, saccadic movements, and visual previously seen images. Eye-tracking devices
scanning exercises are used to enhance both measure saccades (rapid eye movements),
memory recall and visual spatial awareness. fixations, and pupil dilation, offering insights into
RECENT ADVANCES IN VISION the cognitive load experienced by patients during
memory recognition tasks.
THERAPY FOR MEMORY RECOGNITION
Recent studies have incorporated eye-tracking
1. NEUROPLASTICITY-BASED data to tailor vision therapy exercises more
APPROACHES effectively. For instance, if a patient demonstrates
One of the most exciting recent advances in difficulty maintaining focus on a stimulus, their
vision therapy is the growing understanding of therapy can be adjusted to increase fixation times
neuroplasticity – the brain’s ability to reorganise and reduce distractions, helping them improve
itself by forming new neural connections. memory retention. The ability to assess cognitive
Neuroplasticity-based vision therapy focuses load in real-time ensures that exercises are
on harnessing this capability to improve visual neither too easy nor too overwhelming, leading to
memory and recognition. Studies have shown better engagement and outcomes.
that engaging patients in repetitive, targeted 4. INTEGRATION WITH COGNITIVE
visual exercises can encourage the brain to BEHAVIORAL THERAPY (CBT)
reroute damaged pathways and enhance visual
memory performance. For example, individuals Memory recognition therapy is not only about
recovering from a stroke or brain injury have improving visual pathways but also addressing
shown significant improvements in memory cognitive and emotional factors that might
recognition tasks following a regimen of impede progress. Combining vision therapy with
neuroplasticity-based vision therapy. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) has been a
153 | THE INDIAN OPTICIAN | NOV-DEC 2024 VISION THERAPY
