Software company Ubisoft and Amblyotech Inc. collaborated on a game called Dig Rush, which is able to treat amblyopia, or as is is more commonly known, lazy eye.
Worldwide, amblyopia is a disorder that affects about 3% of children and if left untreated, it is one of the leading causes of adult blindness. Traditional amblyopia treatments are a lengthy process that have a child wear an eye patch over their dominant eye for six weeks—but this only works for children under the age of 12. As well as being uncomfortable and invasive to daily life, kids often face social stigma during the process. Doing away with these issues, Dig Rush is a playable tablet game that treats lazy eye in six weeks, with only a pair of 3D glasses needed for gameplay—no eye patch required. Tested on 80 adults, Dig Rush had a success rate of 90%, which could totally change how amblyopia is dealt with in the future in people of all ages.
What's Driving This Trend
- Therapeutic 3D Games
- Ubisoft's Dig Rush game demonstrates the potential for using gaming technology to treat medical conditions.
- Disruptive Treatment for Amblyopia
- Dig Rush could disrupt traditional amblyopia treatments by providing a more comfortable and socially acceptable alternative.
- Gamification of Healthcare
- The success of Dig Rush highlights the opportunity for gamification to improve patient engagement and outcomes in the healthcare industry.
Who This Affects Most
- Gaming
- The success of Dig Rush opens up new possibilities for gaming companies to enter the healthcare field and develop therapeutic games.
- Medical Devices
- The use of 3D glasses in Dig Rush demonstrates the potential for integrating technology into medical devices for non-invasive treatments.
- Healthcare
- The development of Dig Rush showcases the need for innovative healthcare solutions that prioritize patient comfort and engagement.
