What question did this study set out to answer?

To quantitatively assess how video game practice impacts visual function compared to non-players and over interventions.

May 15, 2026

Effects of video game practice on visual and visuocognitive functions

Key Points

To quantitatively assess how video game practice impacts visual function compared to non-players and over interventions.
Conducted searches in PubMed, Web of Science, SciELO, and Google Scholar from January 2000 to June 2025.
Included studies were cross-sectional, quasi-experimental, and randomized/controlled designs with quantitative visual outcomes.
Calculated standardised mean differences using Hedges g; assessed study quality via multiple checklists.
Video game practice led to large improvements in visual, attentional, and oculomotor performance.
96% of studies demonstrated high or moderate methodological quality, with low systematic bias risk.
Findings support the idea of experience-dependent visual plasticity, with clinical implications for visual rehabilitation.

Abstract

CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Video game-based visual stimulation may influence visual attention, oculomotor control, and perceptual processing, which are clinically relevant functions in optometric assessment and vision rehabilitation. BACKGROUND: The aim of this review is to quantitatively evaluate the effects of video-game practice on visual function, both in comparative (video-game players vs. non-players) and pre-post intervention designs, and to explore potential moderators such as age, type of game, and study design. METHODS: Searches were conducted in PubMed, Web of Science, SciELO, and Google Scholar (January 2000-June 2025). Eligible studies included cross-sectional, quasi-experimental, and randomised/controlled pre-post designs reporting quantitative visual outcomes. Standardised mean differences (Hedges g) were calculated. Study quality was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale, Joanna Briggs Institute checklist, and Cochrane Risk of Bias 2.0 tool. RESULTS: values confirmed the robustness of findings. Methodological quality was high or moderate in 96% of studies, with low risk of systematic bias. CONCLUSIONS: Video-game practice is associated with consistent and large improvements in visual, attentional, and oculomotor performance, supporting experience-dependent visual plasticity. These findings reinforce the translational potential of gaming-based paradigms and may contribute to the development of clinically applicable tools for visual rehabilitation.

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