Newly Published Study by Lighthouse Guild Researchers Provides Data on Head-Mounted Display Devices for People with Vision Loss

NEW YORK (July 9, 2024) — Advances in hardware and software technologies have led to the development of assistive technology devices that may help people with vision loss achieve their goals, including reading and performing activities of daily living. Head-mounted displays are among the newest assisted technology devices, providing a real-time view of the physical world, as captured by an onboard video camera that can be digitally enhanced. A recent study published by a research team from Lighthouse Guild in the Ophthalmic and Physiological Optics, the Journal of the College of Optometrists, explores the performance, acceptance, and usability of head-mounted display devices. 

In conducting the study titled Performance on Clinical Outcomes, Activities of Daily Living and User Experience on Head-Mounted Displays for People with Vision Impairment, the Lighthouse Guild team worked directly with a group of adults with various eye conditions to assess the effectiveness of different head-mounted display devices. The results found that these devices worked as magnifiers allowing better performance on reading tasks. However, they did not allow for better performance on tasks of daily living. These findings indicate the goals of people with vision loss must be carefully considered when recommending assisted technology devices.

The study’s senior author, Dr. William Seiple, Chief Research Officer at Lighthouse Guild, said “The great news is that technology is advancing rapidly, and people with vision loss will have many assisted devices to choose from. However, there is a need for more objective, evidence-based data that can help people, in consultation with their vision health provider, identify the devices that are the best match for their individual diagnosis and functional needs.” 

Co-authors of the study are Hilde P.A. van der Aa, Senior Researcher, Lighthouse Guild and Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Fernanda Garcia-Piña, Director of Research Operations, Lighthouse Guild; Ruth M. A. van Nispen, PhD, Professor of Visual Functioning & Health and Head of Research, Department of Ophthalmology the Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Jeroen Hoogland, Assistant Professor, Department of Epidemiology and Data Science, the Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam, the Netherlands and Calvin Roberts, MD, President and CEO of Lighthouse Guild. The research was funded by the American Macular Degeneration Foundation.  

Lighthouse Guild 
Lighthouse Guild provides exceptional services that inspire people who are visually impaired to attain their goals. Our podcast series, “On Tech & Vision with Dr. Cal Roberts” offers information and insights about technological innovations that are tearing down barriers for people who are blind or visually impaired. For more information, visit Lighthouseguild.org. 

Source: Lighthouse Guild

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