[Niigata University of Health and Welfare] Improving eyesight through games? A game-based therapy that helps children engage in amblyopia treatment 'fun-fully'

A research group involving the Department of Vision Science at Niigata University of Health and Welfare (NSG Group), including lead author Mr. Tatara, Dr. Zaynutdinov of NAZAR Eye Center (Uzbekistan), Dr. Ishigaki of the University of Electro-Communications, and Dr. Handa of Kitasato University, has revealed that game-based training using the 'Occlu Tab' tablet improves vision in children with binocular amblyopia (a condition where vision in both eyes fails to develop adequately).

The paper was published in the international journal 'Clinical Ophthalmology' on May 19, 2026.

About the Research

[Research Overview] Is there an image that 'games are bad for the eyes'? It is true that prolonged near-distance focus can lead to myopia progression or eye strain. However, for an eye disease called 'amblyopia,' games can actually serve as therapy.

Amblyopia is a condition where visual function does not develop sufficiently, and treatment is only possible during a child's developmental growth period. The conventional treatment method involves patching the stronger eye to force the use of the weaker eye, but this often meets resistance from children, making treatment consistency a major challenge.

In this study, game-based training was conducted using a special tablet device called 'Occlu Tab' (the iOS version is known as 'Occlu Pad'). Occlu Tab is a tablet with a unique structure that allows the image to be seen only through specialized glasses.

With Occlu Tab, the tablet screen is visible only through the special glasses and remains invisible to the naked eye. Furthermore, because the eye not undergoing training cannot see the screen even through the glasses, the child naturally uses the eye intended for training while playing the game.

Occlu Tab settings allow the screen to be visible only through the weaker eye. Therefore, the child is incentivized to engage in the game, which in turn exercises the weaker eye. Previously, Occlu Tab was used for treating unilateral amblyopia. This study has clarified its therapeutic efficacy for binocular amblyopia by alternating training between the left and right eyes.

[Researcher Comment] During amblyopia treatment visits, parents often say, 'I couldn't follow the training instructions this time' or 'We could only practice for a few minutes a day.' The greatest advantage of Occlu Tab is that it turns games into training, enabling children to participate happily and actively.

We were able to demonstrate through international collaborative research that a game-based training device developed in Japan can contribute to amblyopia treatment. I am pleased that Japanese technology can contribute to global medical care.

[Original Paper Information] Title: Binocular Occlu-Tab Training in Patients with Ametropic Amblyopia: A Retrospective Study DOI: https://doi.org/10.2147/OPTH.S606380