Head-mounted displays for low vision. v1
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Head-mounted displays for low vision
IRAS ID
162375
Contact name
Howard Moshtael
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Heriot-Watt University
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 6 months, 1 days
Research summary
Conditions that affect sight are far more likely to result in partial blindness than total sight loss; the ratio of low vision to blind is 10 to 1 in Europe according to the World Health Organization. The most common cause of registrable blindness in the Western World is age-related macular degeneration, a condition that affects the central area of vision but leaves peripheral vision untouched. Most of those with visual impairment require some kind of vision aid in order to make best use of their residual vision. This can simply be an optical magnifier, or for stronger magnification and better field of view, an electronic magnifier connected to a computer monitor is often used. A niche technology class, that recently gained widespread attention through Google Glass, is the head-mounted display (HMD). It is worn on the head and comprises one or two small screens (monocular or binocular) placed close to the eyes, with lenses that make the display appear at a comfortable viewing distance. The screens can either be opaque, like conventional monitors, or transparent. This study aims to further knowledge of the usefulness of HMDs for the partially sighted.
Specifically, the study will test the Epson Moverio BT-200, a transparent glasses-like HMD, and the Oculus Rift, an opaque and immersive HMD, on patients with age-related macular degeneration. A pilot trial will measure the extent to which they can see the displays and their ability to read from them. The results will inform the development of techniques to modify the presentation of text on the display in order to enhance their reading ability. A subsequent main trial will then test the efficacy of these techniques. The time for the whole study is estimated to be 18 months and it will be conducted at the Princess Alexandra Eye Pavilion.
REC name
East Midlands - Leicester South Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
14/EM/1322
Date of REC Opinion
7 Jan 2015
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion