Abstract
Purpose :
Gaze training describes the method of encouraging a more effective gaze behavior in persons living with impairments to the visual field - such as Retinitis pigmentosa - through specifically designed visual tasks, thus improving the visual performance in everyday life. Recent advancements in the field of virtual reality in both technology and accessibility motivate new and adapted gaze training approaches. In this study, we aim to evaluate the potential of utilizing virtual reality devices in gaze training.
Methods :
For this, a gaze training application for a wireless virtual reality headset was designed and developed. Seven visually healthy participants (aged 19-29, average 22.9±3.1) with simulated tunnel vision used the application over the course of two weeks for unsupervised at-home gaze training. The training consisted of three different visual tasks – navigation, target search and simultaneous tracking of multiple moving targets – each designed to encourage increased gaze movement. The results were analyzed using Linear Mixed Models. Participants were further asked to fill questionnaires regarding their experience with the training application and virtual reality device throughout the two-week training phase.
Results :
Participants display an increase in effective gaze movements – measured by the perceived visual area over a fixed amount of time - over the course of the study, with an average linear increase of 14.3% in the navigation task and 19.0% in the search task from first to tenth session (p<0.01 in both tasks). In addition, it is found that increased effective gaze movements correlate with the performance in the navigation task (p<0.01). According to the questionnaires, the developed virtual-reality gaze training is intuitive, not straining and initially enjoyable, however the reported motivation during training decreases over the course of the study.
Conclusions :
The improvements in gaze behavior and visual performance displayed by the participants with simulated tunnel vision suggest that similar results may be achieved in Retinitis pigmentosa patients, though it remains to be assessed whether these effects translate to real-world situations. Further, the complication-free execution of a two-week training phase and positive user feedback regarding ease-of-use of the application and virtual reality setup show their feasibility for unsupervised at-home training.
This abstract was presented at the 2022 ARVO Annual Meeting, held in Denver, CO, May 1-4, 2022, and virtually.