Stereoscopic Visual Perceptual Learning in Seniors

Background: We showed that seniors can improve their stereoscopic ability (stereoacuity) and corresponding reaction time with repetitive training and, furthermore, that these improvements through training are still present even after a longer period of time without training.

Methods: Eleven seniors (average age: 85.90 years) trained twice a week for six weeks with dynamic stereoscopic perception training using a vision training apparatus (c-Digital Vision Trainer^®). Stereoscopic training was performed in 12 training session (n = 3072) of visual tasks. The task was to identify and select one of four figures (stereoscopic stimuli) that was of a different disparity using a controller. The tests included a dynamic training (showing rotating balls) and a static test (showing plates without movement). Before and after training, the stereoacuity and the corresponding reaction times were identified with the static stereotest in order to determine the individual training success. The changes in respect to reaction time of stereoscopic stimuli with decreasing disparity were calculated.

Results: After 6 weeks of training, reaction time improved in the median from 936 arcsec to 511 arcsec. Stereoscopic vision improved from 138 arcsec to 69 arcsec, which is an improvement of two levels of difficulty. After 6 months without training, the improvement, achieved by training, remained stable.

Conclusions: In older people, visual training leads to a significant, long-lasting improvement in stereoscopic vision and the corresponding reaction time in seniors. This indicates cortical plasticity even in old age.