Optometry

Enhanced visual experiences and seeing hardware for reduced vision: A pilot study

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Persons with vision loss may have limited ability to experience visual arts and difficulty navigating unfamiliar environments. The Center for Advanced Visual Studies at Massachusetts Institute of Technology developed a Retinal Imaging Machine Vision System (RIMVS) “seeing machine” to project “word-images” onto the retina and permit navigation through virtual architectural environments.

METHODS: Ten subjects with visual acuity £ 20/70 in the better-seeing eye were recruited. Subjects viewed word-images that were projected on the retina of the better-seeing eye and asked to interpret the images. Subsequently, they were asked to recall as many images as possible. Participants also practiced navigation through a computer-modeled building that was projected onto the retina. A survey elicited subject response to the RIMVS.

RESULTS: Six subjects correctly interpreted all 10 word-images; no subject interpreted fewer than 8 correctly. Seven subjects felt that the word images afforded easy recall, and 7 subjects responded that the technology might assist subsequent navigation in unfamiliar environments.

CONCLUSIONS: Responses reflect a general interest and potential with the RIMVS. Further studies are warranted to explore the value of the RIMWS as a tool to enable visually compromised persons to experience and appreciate visual arts and as a navigation aid.

Optometry 2006; 77:88-92