A component analysis of an operant training program for improving visual acuity in myopic students

Previous research has shown that visual acuity can be improved in laboratory settings using a fading plus feedback discrimination training procedure. The present study was a component analysis of this program. Forty myopic subjects were randomly assigned to one of five conditions: fading plus feedback, fading only, feedback only, yoked control, and no-treatment control. Acuity was measured with the Ortho-rater, two Snellen charts, and Behavioral Acuity Tests for letter and word discrimination. Results showed that fading plus feedback and fading only groups were generally superior on all measures except the Ortho-rater. The findings suggested that fading, not verbal feedback, is the critical component of treatment.