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Computer Game Helps Return Vision to Stroke Victims

by Tim Stevens on April 2, 2009 at 10:11 AM

Computer Training Helps Return Vision to Stroke Victims
Despite all the negative things people say about video games, we've recently learned that playing them can help to improve your eyesight. If that doesn't convince you that video games can have positive effects, then take a look at this: According to Reuters, scientists are successfully using a type of primitive video game to rehabilitate stroke victims' debilitated vision. Amazingly, the method has been able to return as much as 90-percent of some patients' vision.

As part of the project, researchers at the University of Rochester Eye Institute show screened images of dots and other visual artifacts to stroke victims, asking the patients to identify the shapes. Patients often say that they can see something, even if they can't tell what it is. But, when asked to guess what they're seeing, they often guess correctly. Although strokes can result in brain damage, the eyes are left intact. This means the victims just need to be taught how to process those visual signals again. That's exactly what the program does, and some patients have regained enough of their eyesight to even return to driving.

Maybe this is another good reason to get Wii consoles at retirement homes. [From: Reuters]

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Tags: health, medical, stroke, video games, VideoGames, vision

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