Cure lazy eye with video game?

We hear a lot of negative things about gaming and the effects it could have on the health of children. A lot of scientific research is being done on this topic. But we also see games being used to help treating some medical conditions. Or just think about the rise of gamification within healthcare. Games are on the rise within healthcare and so are video games helping us in being healthier longer. So for the game developers companies healthcare is becoming a serious market. recently game company Ubisoft Ubisoft announced, together with and Amblyotech Inc., their collaboration on a new

game named Dig Rush. One of the purposes of the game is to help with the treatment of Amblyopia. This is also known as “lazy eye”. This disorder in eye sight affects 3% of children worldwide and, if unsuccessfully treated, is a leading cause of possible blindness in adults. Ubisoft thought of fighting this disease by combining an unique gameplay with inventions initially
patented by Drs. Robert Hess, Benjmain Thompson, Behzad Mansouri, Jeremy Cooperstock, Long To and Jeff Blum at the McGill University. The game resulted in this cooperation is Dig Rush. The game wants to create an entertaining way for patients to undergo their Amblyopia therapy.

Current treatment options like eye patching are providing a very limited relief. With that eye patches also have a poor patient compliance due to discomfort and social stigmas. The Amblyotech-patented electronic therapy has been tested clinically to significantly increase the visual acuity of children and adults. The game developed by UbiSoft works as follows. Using 3D glasses and a table the players work both the dominant and lazy eye. They train the brain to improve visual perception. The game Dig Rush will submit each eye to differing levels of contrast in the game. A physician can adjust the game’s settings in order to customize the experience for each patient. Every patient using this method will have just the right level of contrast to suit their eye’s condition.

Studies on this new therapy using a video game have shown significant improvement in visual function for children and adults. Amblyotech Inc. will be seeking FDA clearance to market this therapy in the United States, and once it has received all approvals, the treatment will be made available worldwide. A great eampl e of how new technologies and a crossborder cooperation can lead to breakthrough innovations. Also a great example of the trend gamification.