ClinicalTrials.gg
RecruitingNCT06121219urochesterUpdated Sep 10, 2026

Effect of Visual Retraining After Stroke

An interventional study of Training in the Blind Field in Vision Loss Partial, Vision; Loss, Both Eyes and Hemianopia Homonymous, sponsored by University of Rochester. Recruiting at 1 site in United States. Open to participants aged 21 Years to 80 Years, including healthy volunteers. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2026-09-10.

Primary conditionHemianopsiaRegistry: BlindnessReclassifiedWhy we changed it
Registry
Blindness — the first condition term the registry derived for this study.
ClinicalTrials.gg
Hemianopsia
Why
  1. The study's listed conditions name Hemianopsia, a narrower term within Blindness.
Confidence
High: the new condition is named in the study's own listed conditions. Of 351 hand-checked studies reclassified this way, 68% were exactly right and 84% in the right disease family; the registry's first term was right for 5% (measured 2026-10-21). How we classify →
Wrong?
Tell us the study's main condition →

Sponsored by University of Rochester · Not applicable, Interventional, and Treatment

From the registry’s dates

  • Started Sep 2024; still recruiting 2 years 2 months later.
Phase
Not applicable
Study type
Interventional
Enrollment
100
Allocation
Non-randomized
Ages
21 Years to 80 Years
Sex
All
01

Study summary

This project is intended to collect data using standard clinical tests and psychophysics to quantify the effect of visual cortical damage on the structure of the residual visual system, visual perception, spatial awareness, and brain function. The investigators will also assess the effect of intensive visual retraining on the residual visual system, processing of visual information and the use of such information in real-world situations following damage. This research is intended to improve our understanding of the consequences of permanent visual system damage in humans, of methods that can be used to reverse visual loss, and of brain mechanisms by which visual recovery is achieved.

02

Conditions studied

  • Vision Loss Partial
  • Vision; Loss, Both Eyes
  • Hemianopia Homonymous
  • Hemianopia
  • Quadrantanopia
  • Stroke, Ischemic
  • Stroke - Occipital Infarction
  • Cortical Blindness

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03

In context

Hemianopsia Reclassified

63 studies on the registry are indexed under Hemianopsia; 24 are open to participants now.

This study's planned enrollment of 100 is above the median of 32 across 53 interventional studies indexed under Hemianopsia.

Browse Hemianopsia studies →

Lead sponsor

University of Rochester is the lead sponsor of 729 studies on the registry; 116 are open to participants now.

Of its 56 completed or terminated interventional studies of FDA-regulated products, 44 (79%) have results posted.

Compared within Hemianopsia, this study's primary condition as ClinicalTrials.gg classifies it; the registry's first condition term is Blindness. The counts are of registry records indexed under each term, refreshed daily. How we classify →

04

Who can participate

Ages eligible
21 Years to 80 Years
Sexes eligible
All
Accepts healthy volunteers
Yes

Eligibility criteria

Cortically Blind Subjects

Inclusion:

  • Between 21 and 80 years of age
  • Residents of the United States or Canada
  • Unilateral stroke or stroke-like damage to primary visual cortex or its immediate afferent white matter sustained within the specified age range (21-75 years)
  • Reliable visual field defects in both eyes as measured by Humphrey, MAIA, Goldmann, and/or equivalent perimetry, large enough to enclose a 5-deg diameter visual stimulus.
  • Able to fixate on visual targets reliably for 1000ms
  • Must have a home computer (desktop or laptop) and reliable internet access
  • Willing, able, and competent to provide
  • Normal cognitive abilities, able to understand written and oral instructions in English, and competent and responsible adults in order to complete the visual training at home, independently, as instructed, for several months.

Exclusion:

  • Past or present eye disease interfering with visual acuity
  • BCVA worse than 20/40 in either eye
  • Damage to the dorsal Lateral Geniculate Nucleus
  • Diffuse whole brain degenerative processes
  • History of traumatic brain injury
  • Any other brain damage deemed by study staff to potentially interfere with training ability or outcome measures
  • Documented history of drug/alcohol abuse
  • Currently taking neuroactive medications which would impact training, as determined by PI
  • Presence of cognitive or seizure disorders
  • One-sided attentional neglect
  • Subjects who lack the competence or are otherwise unable to perform the visual training exercises as directed.

Control Subjects (n = 50)

Inclusion:

  • Between 21 and 80 years of age
  • Report no history of neurological disorder.
  • Competent and responsible, as determined by the Principal Investigator.

Exclusion:

  • Presence of damage to the visual system
  • Presence of an active disease process involving their nervous system.
  • Cognitive or seizure disorders
  • Best corrected visual acuity worse than 20/40 in either eye
  • Presence of vision field loss from ocular disease or disorder
Terms in these criteria, in plain language(1)

Underlined terms in the criteria open these too. Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.

Informed consent

Before you join, the study team explains what taking part involves — its purpose, what happens, the risks and possible benefits — and answers your questions, so you can decide freely. Consent is usually recorded on a form (the informed consent form, ICF) signed by you or, where the law allows, by someone legally authorised to decide for you.

You can keep asking questions during the study, you are told of new information that matters, and you can choose to leave at any time.

05

Study design

Phase
Not applicable
Primary purpose
Treatment
Allocation
Non-randomized
Intervention model
Parallel assignment
Masking
None (open label)
Enrollment
100 participants (estimated)

Study arms

  • Experimental
    Experimental: Cortically Blind (CB) Subjects

    Cortically Blind subjects will be enrolled to perform a daily home visual training task.

    Device: Training in the Blind Field

  • No intervention
    Normative Comparator: Control Subjects

    Healthy control subjects will be recruited to collect normative data by which to compare test results from CB subjects. No home training will be asked.

Interventions

  • DeviceTraining in the Blind Field

    A computer software and chin-rest necessary to perform visual training will be loaned to each subject to be used at home. Subjects will perform one to two daily training sessions in their home, consisting of 200-300 trials each. The visual task performed repetitively will involve discriminating the direction of motion, the presence of motion, or the orientation of a visual stimulus (either a small cloud of dots or bars) located at a predetermined location in the blind field. The computer program will automatically create a record of patient performance during each home training session. Subjects will train daily (about 40-60 minutes total), 5 to 7 days per week for at least 3 and up to 12 months at a time.

06

What researchers measure

Primary outcomes

  1. Change in Mean Direction Discrimination Threshold

    For each subject, the investigators will measure the change in ability to detect differences in the motion direction of visual stimuli relative to horizontal, measured in degrees of visual angle with respect to the stimulus. These assessments will be based on what can be reliably detected at a 72-75% correct level of performance on our 2AFC task, with task difficulty adjusted on a 3:1 staircase. The degrees of visual angle for the stimulus vary from 90 degrees (fully vertical) to 0.1 degrees (virtually overlapping the horizontal axis). These measures of change will be evaluated baseline and at each subsequent visit to the laboratory; minimally from baseline to 4-6 months, then baseline to 8-12 months from start of training

    Time frame: Baseline to 4-6 months

  2. Change in Mean Direction Discrimination Threshold

    For each subject, the investigators will measure the change in ability to detect differences in the motion direction of visual stimuli relative to horizontal, measured in degrees of visual angle with respect to the stimulus. These assessments will be based on what can be reliably detected at a 72-75% correct level of performance on our 2AFC task, with task difficulty adjusted on a 3:1 staircase. The degrees of visual angle for the stimulus vary from 90 degrees (fully vertical) to 0.1 degrees (virtually overlapping the horizontal axis). These measures of change will be evaluated baseline and at each subsequent visit to the laboratory; minimally from baseline to 4-6 months, then baseline to 8-12 months from start of training

    Time frame: Baseline to 8-12 months

  3. Change in Mean Direction Integration Threshold

    This will measure the change in ability of subjects to integrate across a range of motion directions measured in degrees of visual angle, with respect to the stimulus. These assessments will be based on what range of motion directions can be reliably integrated at a 72-75% correct level of performance on our 2AFC task, with task difficulty adjusted on a 3:1 staircase. The degrees of visual angle for the stimulus vary from 90 degrees (fully vertical) to 0.1 degrees (virtually overlapping the horizontal axis) . These measures of change will be evaluated baseline and at each subsequent visit to the laboratory; minimally from baseline to 4-6 months, then baseline to 8-12 months from start of training.

    Time frame: Baseline to 4-6 months

  4. Change in Mean Direction Integration Threshold

    This will measure the change in ability of subjects to integrate across a range of motion directions measured in degrees of visual angle, with respect to the stimulus. These assessments will be based on what range of motion directions can be reliably integrated at a 72-75% correct level of performance on our 2AFC task, with task difficulty adjusted on a 3:1 staircase. The degrees of visual angle for the stimulus vary from 90 degrees (fully vertical) to 0.1 degrees (virtually overlapping the horizontal axis) . These measures of change will be evaluated baseline and at each subsequent visit to the laboratory; minimally from baseline to 4-6 months, then baseline to 8-12 months from start of training.

    Time frame: Baseline to 8-12 months

  5. Change in Mean Contrast Sensitivity for Direction

    Assessment of visual perception transfer to untrained psychophysical tasks of contrast sensitivity for direction discrimination. This is a change metric as transfer must be compared from pre- to post- each course of training. For each subject, the investigators will measure the ability to correctly detect the motion direction of visual stimuli that are also varying in contrast against a grey background. The investigators will measure the luminance contrast, measured in percentage of contrast with respect to the stimulus, that can be reliably detected at a 72-75% correct level of performance. Contrast will vary between 100% (maximum contrast of black on grey) and 0.1% (minimum contrast visible of grey-on-grey) based on subject performance and a 3:1 staircase. These measures of change will be evaluated baseline and at each subsequent visit to the laboratory; minimally from baseline to 4-6 months, then baseline to 8-12 months from start of training.

    Time frame: Baseline to 4-6 months

  6. Change in Mean Contrast Sensitivity for Direction

    Assessment of visual perception transfer to untrained psychophysical tasks of contrast sensitivity for direction discrimination. This is a change metric as transfer must be compared from pre- to post- each course of training. For each subject, the investigators will measure the ability to correctly detect the motion direction of visual stimuli that are also varying in contrast against a grey background. The investigators will measure the luminance contrast, measured in percentage of contrast with respect to the stimulus, that can be reliably detected at a 72-75% correct level of performance. Contrast will vary between 100% (maximum contrast of black on grey) and 0.1% (minimum contrast visible of grey-on-grey) based on subject performance and a 3:1 staircase. These measures of change will be evaluated baseline and at each subsequent visit to the laboratory; minimally from baseline to 4-6 months, then baseline to 8-12 months from start of training.

    Time frame: Baseline to 8-12 months

  7. Change in Mean Contrast Sensitivity for Static Orientation

    Assessment of visual perception transfer to untrained psychophysical tasks of contrast sensitivity for static orientation discrimination. This is a change metric as transfer must be compared from pre- to post- each course of training. For each subject, the investigators will measure the ability to correctly detect the orientation of non-moving visual stimuli that vary in contrast against a grey background. The investigators will measure the luminance contrast, measured in percentage of contrast with respect to the stimulus, that can be reliably detected at a 72-75% correct level of performance. Contrast will vary between 100% (maximum contrast of black on grey) and 0.1% (minimum contrast visible of grey-on-grey) based on subject performance and a 3:1 staircase. These measures of change will be evaluated baseline and at each subsequent visit to the laboratory; minimally from baseline to 4-6 months, then baseline to 8-12 months from start of training.

    Time frame: Baseline to 4-6 months

  8. Change in Mean Contrast Sensitivity for Static Orientation

    Assessment of visual perception transfer to untrained psychophysical tasks of contrast sensitivity for static orientation discrimination. This is a change metric as transfer must be compared from pre- to post- each course of training. For each subject, the investigators will measure the ability to correctly detect the orientation of non-moving visual stimuli that vary in contrast against a grey background. The investigators will measure the luminance contrast, measured in percentage of contrast with respect to the stimulus, that can be reliably detected at a 72-75% correct level of performance. Contrast will vary between 100% (maximum contrast of black on grey) and 0.1% (minimum contrast visible of grey-on-grey) based on subject performance and a 3:1 staircase. These measures of change will be evaluated baseline and at each subsequent visit to the laboratory; minimally from baseline to 4-6 months, then baseline to 8-12 months from start of training.

    Time frame: Baseline to 8-12 months

Secondary outcomes

  1. Humphrey 10-2 and 24-2 perimetry

    The investigators will measure the change in visual sensitivity (measured in decibels) at all locations tested by the system. These measures will be evaluated at baseline and at each subsequent visit to the laboratory; minimally from baseline to 4-6 months, then baseline to 8-12 months from start of training.

    Time frame: Baseline to 4-6 months

  2. Humphrey 10-2 and 24-2 perimetry

    The investigators will measure the change in visual sensitivity (measured in decibels) at all locations tested by the system. These measures will be evaluated at baseline and at each subsequent visit to the laboratory; minimally from baseline to 4-6 months, then baseline to 8-12 months from start of training.

    Time frame: Baseline to 8-12 months

  3. Goldmann perimetry

    The investigators will measure the change in area of vision (degrees squared) as encompassed by each isopter, measured by one of 3 different light stimuli. The 3 isopters which will be compared are: I2e 1asb, 0.25 mm\^2 I4e 10asb, 0.25 mm\^2 V4e 1000asb, 64 mm\^2 These measures will be evaluated at baseline and at each subsequent visit to the laboratory; minimally from baseline to 4-6 months, then baseline to 8-12 months from start of training.

    Time frame: Baseline to 4-6 months

  4. Goldmann perimetry

    The investigators will measure the change in area of vision (degrees squared) as encompassed by each isopter, measured by one of 3 different light stimuli. The 3 isopters which will be compared are: I2e 1asb, 0.25 mm\^2 I4e 10asb, 0.25 mm\^2 V4e 1000asb, 64 mm\^2 These measures will be evaluated at baseline and at each subsequent visit to the laboratory; minimally from baseline to 4-6 months, then baseline to 8-12 months from start of training.

    Time frame: Baseline to 8-12 months

  5. MAIA Visual Field Perimetry

    The investigators will measure the change in visual sensitivity (measured in decibels) at all locations tested by the system. These measures will be evaluated at baseline and at each subsequent visit to the laboratory; minimally from baseline to 4-6 months, then baseline to 8-12 months from start of training.

    Time frame: Baseline to 4-6 months

  6. MAIA Visual Field Perimetry

    The investigators will measure the change in visual sensitivity (measured in decibels) at all locations tested by the system. These measures will be evaluated at baseline and at each subsequent visit to the laboratory; minimally from baseline to 4-6 months, then baseline to 8-12 months from start of training.

    Time frame: Baseline to 8-12 months

07

Study locations

1 of 1 sites recruiting
08

References and documents

Individual participant data

Plan to share: No

No publications or documents are linked to this record.

09

Timeline

Tracking since Sep 25, 2026
ElapsedEstimatedEstimated, not yet reachedSimilar studies: half by the dot; the band is the middle halfHalf of similar studies reached it by the dot; the band is the middle half, from a quarter to three quarters

Started Sep 2024 (actual). Primary completion is estimated for Jan 2030, 64 months after the start.

Of 36 interventional studies with no phase under Hemianopsia, half reached primary completion within 47 months of starting (the median), counting those still running; a quarter within 21 and three quarters within 95. This study's planned 64 months is above that.

How these figures are worked out, and which studies are left out of them.

Registered
Oct 31, 2023
First posted
Nov 7, 2023
StartActual
Sep 5, 2024
Primary completionEst.
Jan 2030
CompletionEst.
Jan 2032
Last update
Sep 10, 2026
What these dates mean
Start.
When the first participant enrolled; while estimated, when the study expects to open to recruitment.
Primary completion.
When the last participant was examined or treated to collect data for the study's main question, its primary outcome. A study that stopped early gives the date its data collection stopped.
Completion.
When the last participant's last visit took place, for every outcome, secondary ones and side effects included: the end of the study. Often later than primary completion, sometimes the same day.
Actual and Est.
Actual means the registry says the date has happened. Est. (estimated) is a date the sponsor plans or expects. It can still move, and the sponsor is expected to change it to actual once it has passed.
No changes since tracking began. The registry record was last updated on Sep 10, 2026, before this site started recording changes on Sep 25, 2026. Its history is on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗
10

Registry details

Key details

Study ID
NCT06121219
Collaborators
National Institutes of Health (NIH), Research to Prevent Blindness
Responsible party
Krystel Huxlin (James V. Aquavella Professor of Ophthalmology, University of Rochester) — Principal investigator
First posted
Nov 7, 2023
Start date
Sep 5, 2024
Primary completion
Jan 2030 (estimated)
Completion
Jan 2032 (estimated)
Last update
Sep 10, 2026

Study contacts

Evan Burr
Contact
Evan_Burr@urmc.rochester.edu
585-275-5234

Oversight

Data monitoring committee
No
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No
View the source record on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

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