Clinical Efficacy of Low Vision Aid Using Virtual Reality Device

Abstract

Purpose: To evaluate the clinical usefulness of a low vision aid using a virtual reality device (LVA-VR) in patients with low vision. Methods: Forty low vision patients were enrolled in this prospective study. All subjects participated in a two-session LVA-VR training course. The binocular best-corrected distance, intermediate, and near visual acuities (BCDVA, BCIVA, and BCNVA, respectively) were measured, along with contrast sensitivity and reading performance, at baseline and after 2 weeks of LVA-VR use. All subjects also provided a self-rated functional score (SFS) and completed a satisfaction questionnaire following the study. Results: Thirty-nine subjects (mean age, 54.6 ± 22.7 years) completed the study. Significant improvements in BCDVA, BCIVA, BCNVA, and contrast sensitivity were observed after 2 weeks of LVA-VR use (p < 0.001). Reading accuracy also improved significantly (p = 0.027); however, the reading speed did not change. Subject functionality improved, as indicated by the increase in the SFS (11.8 ± 4.5 vs. 19.6 ± 5.3) (p < 0.001). Most patients were satisfied with their visual function improvement and found LVA-VR to be useful in their daily activities. No device-related adverse events were observed or indicated. Conclusions: This study suggests that LVA-VR is beneficial for visual rehabilitation. Future technological advances are expected to improve LVA-VR performance and acceptability further for a better quality of life in low vision patients.

Are wearable electronic vision enhancement systems (wEVES) beneficial for people with age‐related macular degeneration? A scoping review

“…However, more recent studies with secondgeneration devices show reliable improvement in CS for people with different causes of VI, including AMD. 50,51,55 Reading speed with second-generation wEVES tends to show either no significant change compared with habitual vision 50,53,55 or a decrease. 43,48,51 Reductions in reading speed are postulated to be due to image movement and field restrictions of the devices being assessed.…”

“…56 Changes in functional ability were assessed using standardised Patient-Reported Outcome Measures (PROMs), 50,52,56,57 a non-validated 'self-evaluation function score' 55 or by observed ability to complete tests of timed instrumental ADL (TIADL). 45,46,50,56 Compared with users' habitual vision, secondgeneration wEVES show improvements in perceived ability in 'reading' 50,52,55 and 'visual information' tasks. 50,52 However, perceived ability in 'mobility', 50,52,55 'writing' 55 and 'visual-motor' (manipulation) tasks 52 do not improve.…”

“…45,46,50,56 Compared with users' habitual vision, secondgeneration wEVES show improvements in perceived ability in 'reading' 50,52,55 and 'visual information' tasks. 50,52 However, perceived ability in 'mobility', 50,52,55 'writing' 55 and 'visual-motor' (manipulation) tasks 52 do not improve. With the fully immersive VR HMD, it is suggested that the 52 Others conclude that fully immersive wEVES predominantly benefit sedentary rather than dynamic tasks.…”

“…50,56 TIADL tests showed that wEVES increased the number of users able to search a bill, find a can on a shelf or read overhead signs 56 and show significant improvement in facial expression recognition. 50,55 Only first-generation devices have compared users' abilities with wEVES to their other coping strategies. These studies showed that wEVES offered no improvement over other optical or electronic magnifying solutions for tasks including writing a cheque, identifying grocery items 46 or reading maps and medicine bottles.…”

“…This improvement is noted in a wide variety of different devices, in lab studies, home trials and across first-generation [40][41][42]44 and second-generation devices. [49][50][51]53,55,56 First-generation devices did not consistently show improvement in CS, 46 perhaps due to limitations in display quality. However, more recent studies with secondgeneration devices show reliable improvement in CS for people with different causes of VI, including AMD.…”