Development of a Spectacle Wear Monitor System: SpecsOn Monitor

Abstract

Purpose This study aimed to custom design, build, and test a removable device that accurately and objectively monitors adherence to spectacle wear in preschool children participating in clinical trials. This work will provide researchers with the tools to investigate the effect of adherence to optical treatment in conditions relating to refractive error, such as anisometropia, amblyopia, myopia, and accommodative esotropia, where spectacle wearing behaviors are of interest. Methods Several sensors were considered in the design of the SpecsOn monitor. The final version included two temperature sensors, one that measures skin temperature through an infrared sensor directed at the wearer's temple on the spectacle arm and the other measuring device temperature. The difference between the two temperature readings is used to determine if the spectacles were worn. The SpecsOn monitor was tested in two phases in adult participants (laboratory n = 10 and real world n = 5). Results Results from both phases showed good agreement between the objective measurement of wear based on skin and device temperature differences and participants’ manually logged wear times. The custom built SpecsOn monitor was 99% successful in accurately detecting spectacle wear in our adult cohort. Conclusions The SpecsOn monitor offers a convenient, accurate, and reliable system to monitor spectacle adherence. The devices were comfortable, secure, and unobtrusive to wear, and fitted easily to a variety of frame styles. Translational Relevance Easy access to spectacle compliance information from the SpecsOn monitor during the optical treatment phase will optimize visual outcomes and provide detailed clinical data to support decision making on the need and timing of additional therapies, improving treatment efficiency.

Measuring aniseikonia and investigating neuroplasticity and image factors in amblyopia (MAGNIFY): study protocol for a randomised clinical trial

“…Adherence with spectacle wear also displays a similarly wide range of interindividual variability [ 35 ] and likely to suffer similar parental over estimation of adherence. In this study, the SpecsOn monitor [ 38 ] will be used alongside the daily spectacle wear diary to examine the effectiveness of the monitor in a clinical-like setting where children are reviewed routinely for amblyopia treatment. Not all participants will opt to have the device put onto their spectacles and therefore will not have complete data from all the enrolled participants in the study.…”

“…Currently, adherence with spectacle wear is only assessed indirectly and subjectively via parental reporting [ 36 , 37 ], which is generally expected to overestimate adherence. This study will include an optional custom-built objective monitoring device (SpecsOn monitor) [ 38 ] to monitor spectacle adherence alongside a daily spectacle wear diary for the first 5 weeks. Additional consent for the SpecsOn monitor will be provided on the consent form at the enrolment visit (Appendix 1 ).…”

“…Iseikonic lenses are sometimes used in optometry practices in New Zealand and overseas for optical correction in children and adults with anisometropia to help reduce visual discomfort and aid in adaptation. The optional objective spectacle monitoring device [ 38 ] will be fitted to the spectacle frames and parents of all participants will be asked to complete a daily spectacle wear diary to monitor adherence.…”

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“…A minimal difference was noted in the wear time recorded by the SpecsOn monitor and self-reported wear time in 80% of the participants. 50 The monitor was capable of detecting when spectacles were artificially subjected to extreme temperatures when placed in shirt or trouser pockets and held in hand. However, it was reported to produce a false-positive error when spectacles were positioned on the head or the forehead.…”

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“…Wear compliance is crucial for treatments like optical correction and patching. Sensorized glasses detect patching [35] and log wear times [36]. Nevertheless, patches tend to have poor acceptance due to social stigma.…”