Advanced Perceptual Learning Techniques Induce Neuroplasticity to Enable Improved Visual Functions

Abstract

Until recent years, there was low awareness that the brain’s ability to adapt to changes in sensory input through the modification of neural pathways and processing functions, i.e., neuroplasticity, remains after late adolescent development. Over the past few decades, an extensive body of evidence has established that neuroplasticity not only endures in the adult neuronal processing system, but can also be augmented using advanced perceptual learning training, resulting in improved vision and image processing speed. It is well-established that during the early period of life, termed as critical period, the sensory system displays high sensitivity to environmental stimuli and develops in a particular way owing to adapt to the visual input that is received from the eye. The process of balancing the refraction of the anterior ocular segment and the axial length of the eye to produce a focused image on the retina, i.e., emmetropization, occurs during the first few years of life. Emmetropization involves fine-tuning of the refractive state by altering the refractive components of the eye toward zero refraction. Recent studies have shown that compromised cortical processing, either due to abnormal development, e.g., amblyopia, or due to uncorrected and blurred visual input from the eye, e.g., myopia or presbyopia, can be remarkably strengthened resulting in improved visual performance functions independent of emmetropization. Therefore, advanced perceptual training can be of significant benefit to patients who undergo refractive surgery. In these patients, the correction of the optical input is suddenly altered changing the coherence between the input delivered from the eye and the steady-state cortical processing. This abrupt effect may pose the need for the image processing functions of the visual cortex to readapt to the modified visual input. Boosting cortical processing using perceptual learning may provide enhanced vision benefits for these patients and increase their satisfaction. Future perceptual learning techniques are being modified to serve as a complementary vision performance enhancement program to noninvasive procedures or stand-alone. The new programs will allow clinicians the opportunity to offer patients personalized perceptual learning programs to improve a variety of visual functions that are not currently addressed by conventional treatments or procedures.