Abstract
Purpose :
The objective of this study was to analyze the visual function improvement in patients with low vision using head mounted augmented reality device who presented to the low vision care (LVC) clinic at a tertiary eye care center.
Methods :
A prospective study of 100 patients with low vision who were referred to Low Vision Care clinic was done. Demographic data including age, gender, occupation, visual acuity and type of low vision device preferred were documented. The visual acuity improvement was assessed using head mounted augmented reality (AR) technology which had a smartphone paired with Samsung Gear headset. The visual function score was analyzed using VA LV VFQ-48 questionnaire before and after using an AR low vision device for two weeks period during which the patients were followed up over telephonic conversations. The changes in the VA LV VFQ-48 scores and feedback regarding the comfortability of the device and its utility for near vision, distant vision, daily living, and mobility activities were analyzed. The head mounted display user evaluation form was used at initial presentation of the AR device and after home loan to understand the usability of head mounted devices for improving the visual functions.
Results :
Out of 100 patients, 74 were male and 26 were female. The median age of the overall patients was 36 (25.5) years. In 100 patients, 21% patients were found to have central field loss, 35% patients have peripheral field loss and 44% patients were found to have overall blurred vision. Majority of the subjects with CFL (47%) and OBV (37%) has moderate visual impairment and in PFL group (26%), severe visual impairment was more. The major cause of CFL group was found to be Myopic macular degeneration (9%) and cone dystrophy (9%). Retinitis Pigmentosa (22%) was the most common cause of PFL group and optic atrophy (10%) was the major cause of OBV group. The distance visual acuity improved from 1.1(0.7) to 0.15 (0.6) log MAR, near vision improved from 0.6 (0.7) to 0.3 (0.1) log MAR and the visual function score improved from 0.35(0.26) to 1.89 (1.90) with the use of the AR device and the improvement were statistically significant with P<0.05.
Conclusions :
The head mounted augmented reality device can help people with low vision to improve their residual vision for better visual performance while performing their day-to-day activities.
This abstract was presented at the 2023 ARVO Annual Meeting, held in New Orleans, LA, April 23-27, 2023.