Researchers at the Universidad Carlos III de Madrid (UC3M) have created novel glasses that can help patients with moderate visual impairment. People with retinal pathologies, glaucoma and others suffer from loss of visual field and are not able to see all the objects in the field.
Goggles
The researchers used a virtual reality helmet, also called as a Head Mounted Display device, which has two cameras and a computer. The computer processes the images and an algorithm helps in determining the outline and the distance of the objects. This information is conveyed through two micro screens to the user. The silhouette is highlighted and the colors are varied according to the distance. The issues with depth and contrast affect the perception of these patients with visual impairments.
The researchers are collaborating with the Universidad de Valladolid’s Institute for Applied Ophthalmology (IOBA) for conducting clinical tests. “Intelligent” goggles are being used for testing the device. The IOBA will provide the results by the end of 2012. The researchers intend to advance the ergonomic features of the electronic mechanism.
The research group is developing another device that will help prevent “getting lost” while reading text. It consists of a virtual magnifying glass whose presentation can be controlled on the screen of a computer, tablet or mobile phone. This device can help people with age-related macular degeneration and those experiencing loss in their central field of vision.
Source: http://www.uc3m.es/
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