Updated February 2026

Best Vision Training Apps
& Programs Compared

We evaluated every Gabor patch and perceptual learning solution on the market. Here's the definitive ranking based on science, accessibility, price, and real-world results.

How We Scored

📑
Science
Peer-reviewed evidence
📱
Accessibility
Platform & ease of use
💰
Price
Value for money
🎯
Presbyopia
Near-vision focus
🔄
Availability
Active & maintained
🏆 EDITOR'S CHOICE
#1

Visionary

✅ Active iOS

The most accessible Gabor patch training app on the market. Built on the same perceptual learning science as RevitalVision, but available on your iPhone for a fraction of the cost — no doctor visit required.

✅ Strengths

  • • 14+ Gabor patch exercises with adaptive difficulty
  • • Personalized 21-day training protocol
  • • Free trial — no credit card required
  • • Mobile-first: train anywhere in 10 min/day
  • • Specifically targets presbyopia & contrast sensitivity
  • • Progress tracking with visual metrics

⚠️ Limitations

  • • iOS only (Android coming soon)
  • • Not FDA-cleared (consumer app, not medical device)
  • • Newer to market than RevitalVision
Price: Free trial, then subscription
Platform: iPhone / iPad
Try Free →
#2

RevitalVision

✅ Active Clinical

The original clinical Gabor patch program. FDA-cleared and supported by extensive peer-reviewed research. Uses a "lateral masking" technique where flanking Gabor patches are displayed alongside a target. The gold standard for clinical vision therapy — but the premium price and doctor requirement put it out of reach for most consumers.

✅ Strengths

  • • FDA-cleared medical device
  • • 25+ published clinical studies
  • • Lateral masking technique (Polat methodology)
  • • Treats amblyopia, post-LASIK, and presbyopia
  • • Doctor-supervised with progress monitoring

⚠️ Limitations

  • • $500+ out of pocket (rarely covered by insurance)
  • • Requires doctor referral and supervision
  • • Desktop-only (Windows PC required)
  • • Dated UI — designed for clinical settings, not consumers
  • • Limited availability outside the US
Price: $500+ (requires doctor)
Platform: Windows PC
#3

GlassesOff

❌ Discontinued

The pioneering mobile Gabor patch app, developed by an Israeli team in collaboration with UC Berkeley researchers. GlassesOff was featured in the New York Times, CBS News, and Fox News. Studies showed users improved reading ability by 33% and reduced their "visual age" by 8.6 years. Unfortunately, the company ceased operations around 2016 and the app is no longer available.

✅ What Made It Good

  • • First mobile Gabor patch app
  • • Strong clinical evidence (Polat, Deveau studies)
  • • 33% reading improvement in studies
  • • Affordable subscription pricing

⚠️ Why It Failed

  • • No longer available in any app store
  • • Company ceased operations ~2016
  • • No ongoing development or support
Looking for a GlassesOff replacement? Visionary was built on the same perceptual learning science, updated for modern devices with adaptive difficulty and a structured 21-day protocol.
#4

CureSee

✅ Active Desktop Only

An AI-driven vision therapy platform from India, primarily designed for amblyopia (lazy eye), convergence insufficiency, and strabismus. Uses Gabor patches alongside dichoptic exercises and random-dot stereograms. Featured on Shark Tank India. Effective for its target conditions, but not designed for presbyopia or age-related vision changes.

✅ Strengths

  • • AI-personalized exercise sequences
  • • Multiple exercise modalities (Gabor, dichoptic, RDS)
  • • Remote monitoring by eye specialists
  • • Strong for amblyopia treatment in children

⚠️ Limitations

  • • Not designed for presbyopia
  • • Desktop only (Windows/Mac, no mobile)
  • • Primarily marketed in India
  • • Requires prescription from eye specialist
#5

AmblyoPlay

✅ Active Lazy Eye Only

A gamified vision therapy solution for lazy eye (amblyopia) and binocular vision disorders. Uses dichoptic training (different images to each eye) via special glasses. Positive testimonials from parents, but fundamentally different from Gabor patch perceptual learning — it trains binocular coordination, not contrast sensitivity.

✅ Strengths

  • • Best-in-class for lazy eye in children
  • • Engaging game-based format
  • • Multi-platform (iOS, Android, desktop)
  • • Strong user testimonials

⚠️ Limitations

  • • Not for presbyopia or age-related vision loss
  • • Requires special anaglyph glasses
  • • Different mechanism than Gabor perceptual learning
  • • Primarily designed for children
#6

Bates Method / Eye Exercise Apps

⚠️ No Evidence

Various apps (Eye Trainer, Vision Workout, Eyes Recovery, etc.) based on eye muscle exercises like palming, sunning, and focus shifting. While these exercises may reduce temporary eye strain, a systematic review (Rawstron et al., 2005) found no objective evidence they improve visual acuity, correct refractive errors, or reverse presbyopia.

⚠️ Important distinction: Eye exercises target the muscles around the eye. Gabor patch training targets the visual cortex in the brain. These are fundamentally different approaches with fundamentally different evidence bases. Read our full comparison →

Quick Comparison

Product Gabor Patches Presbyopia Mobile Price Status
🏆 Visionary ✅ ✅ ✅ Free trial Active
RevitalVision ✅ ✅ ❌ $500+ Active
GlassesOff ✅ ✅ ✅ — Dead
CureSee ✅ ❌ ❌ Rx only Active
AmblyoPlay ❌ ❌ ✅ Subscription Active
Bates Method ❌ ❌ ✅ Free–$10 ⚠️ No evidence

The Bottom Line

If you're looking for a research-backed Gabor patch training app you can use on your phone — without a doctor visit or a $500 bill — Visionary is the clear choice.

Start Your Free Trial →

No credit card required. Cancel anytime.