Abstract
Purpose :
The Olleyes virtual reality (VR) headset is designed to perform many aspects of a basic eye exam in addition to perimetry testing. Our pilot study aims to compare patient satisfaction, duration of test, and accuracy of manual exams to the VR headset at a medical student-run free clinic staffed by Vanderbilt University Medical Center physicians and residents.
Methods :
This is an ongoing pilot study currently enrolling adult patients who attend a monthly community ophthalmology clinic. We are aiming for 25-40 patients by the conclusion of the study planned for Spring, 2024. Consented patients underwent both standard exams (done by trained medical students) and VR exams including visual acuity (VA), visual field (VF), extraocular movements (EOM), pupillometry, and color vision. The VR module offered additional perimetry and ptosis screening which were conducted. The exams were timed, and patient preferences were surveyed.
Results :
Our preliminary results included 12 eyes across seven patients with a mean age of 58 years (ranging from 44 to 77), six who were Spanish-speaking, and five who were female. The VR exam (excluding 3 minutes of tutorials) took on average 6.0 ± 3.5 minutes compared to the standard exam of 18.6 ± 4.4 minutes. The VR VA exam results for both near and far vision were within one line of the standard in all but two patients that were measured. The VR EOM exam results were identical to that of the standard in all eyes with calibrated pupil tracking on the headset. The Ishihara color vision results matched across all eyes that had both the standard and VR exams. VR pupillometry testing gave more specific numerical outputs for pupil sizes (a mean of 5.14 mm) and responses to light, but the results matched the standard exam with none of the 12 eyes presenting with pupillary defects. Notably, the VR perimetry exam detected a right lower quadrant and a left lower quadrant visual field defect in the right and left eye of a patient, respectively, which were not detected by the standard exam. Out of all patients who were surveyed, 60% preferred the VR exam with high ratings for physical comfort (average rating of 3.85/5) and comfort with the VR interface (4.6/5).
Conclusions :
The Olleyes VR headset successfully completed patient exams in a community clinic with high levels of patient satisfaction in non-English speaking patients. This device may be useful in improving ophthalmic care in the community care setting.
This abstract was presented at the 2024 ARVO Annual Meeting, held in Seattle, WA, May 5-9, 2024.