Low Vision and Plasticity: Implications for Rehabilitation

Abstract

Low vision is any type of visual impairment that affects activities of daily living. In the context of low vision, we define plasticity as changes in brain or perceptual behavior that follow the onset of visual impairment and that are not directly due to the underlying pathology. An important goal of low-vision research is to determine how plasticity affects visual performance of everyday activities. In this review, we consider the levels of the visual system at which plasticity occurs, the impact of age and visual experience on plasticity, and whether plastic changes are spontaneous or require explicit training. We also discuss how plasticity may affect low-vision rehabilitation. Developments in retinal imaging, noninvasive brain imaging, and eye tracking have supplemented traditional clinical and psychophysical methods for assessing how the visual system adapts to visual impairment. Findings from contemporary research are providing tools to guide people with low vision in adopting appropriate rehabilitation strategies.

Low-Vision Rehabilitation in Maculopathy

“…The low-vision patient is a person and we must consider all his appearances: visual, physical, psychological and social life [27][28][29][30].…”

Toward Long-Term Communication With the Brain in the Blind by Intracortical Stimulation: Challenges and Future Prospects

“…In response to the loss of vision, brain areas normally devoted to the processing of visual information are recruited to process tactile and auditory information and even cognitive functions such as verbal memory and speech processing (Fernandez et al, 2005;Gilbert et al, 2009;Legge and Chung, 2016;Beyeler et al, 2017;Singh et al, 2018;Castaldi et al, 2020). These changes are related to the capability of blind subjects to extract greater information from other senses such as touch and hearing.…”

Development of visual Neuroprostheses: trends and challenges

“…On the other hand, we should be aware that the mature visual system is capable of extensive reorganization as the roles of inputs and pathways are altered by visual experience and sensory loss (this topic has been recently reviewed by (Legge & STL, 2016). Thus, the visual cortex retains the capacity for experience-dependent changes throughout life and as a consequence each cortical area can alter its function in accordance to immediate perceptual demands (Legge & STL, 2016;Gilbert et al, 2009;Karni & Bertini, 1997).…”

“…On the other hand, we should be aware that the mature visual system is capable of extensive reorganization as the roles of inputs and pathways are altered by visual experience and sensory loss (this topic has been recently reviewed by (Legge & STL, 2016). Thus, the visual cortex retains the capacity for experience-dependent changes throughout life and as a consequence each cortical area can alter its function in accordance to immediate perceptual demands (Legge & STL, 2016;Gilbert et al, 2009;Karni & Bertini, 1997). In this context, several studies have suggested that in some patients the occipital parts of the brain that sighted subjects utilize to process visual information are transformed and can be utilized to process tactile and auditory stimuli (Fernandez et al, 2005;Bavelier & Neville, 2002;Merabet et al, 2005;Ptito & Kupers, 2005;Bernabeu et al, 2009;Beyeler et al, 2017).…”