# Eye Movement Rehabilitation in Low Vision Patients

> **NIH NIH R01** · NORTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY · 2020 · $369,716

## Abstract

Project Summary/ Abstract
Approximately 217 million people worldwide currently suffer from low vision, which impact a broad range of
activities of daily living and is associated with depression and increased mortality. Over half of the patients
presenting for low vision services have eye disease that affects the fovea and surrounding macula and leads to
central vision loss (CVL). People with CVL are forced to use eccentric vision as a substitute for their impaired
fovea, however eye movement control and visual function is impaired with eccentric vision. This proposal
brings together basic and clinical vision scientists at Northeastern University, the Lighthouse Guild and New
England College of Optometry in order to help people with CVL to learn to use their remaining vision more
effectively.
Recent evidence shows that rehabilitation methods can help improve oculomotor control and this can lead to
improved functional outcomes. We have developed new feedback-based methods that aim to improve
eccentric vision training in patients with CVL. In a series of studies we examine rehabilitation of fixation
control, smooth pursuit eye movements that track moving objects and saccadic eye movements that
abruptly change the point of regard. We examine how visual feedback, scotoma awareness methods and
hand-eye coordination can improve eccentric vision usage. Improvements in oculomotor control are
quantified with eye tracking methods and associated changes in visual function are quantified with acuity,
contrast sensitivity and reading performance.
The proposed research therefore develops and translates state-of-the-art methods in basic science to clinical
applications. Accomplishing the proposed aims will provide new and improved methods for rehabilitation
strategies for visual impairment. The ultimate goal of this proposal is to maximize the residual visual function of
people with low vision and to help them to live independently, thereby improving quality of life and minimizing
the economic and social burden of visual impairment.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9858343
- **Project number:** 5R01EY029713-02
- **Recipient organization:** NORTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Peter John Bex
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $369,716
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2019-02-01 → 2024-01-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9858343

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9858343, Eye Movement Rehabilitation in Low Vision Patients (5R01EY029713-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9858343. Licensed CC0.

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