Abstract
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause
of visual disability and blindness in persons 65 years of age and older in the
United States and other developed countries. It affects 11% percent of the
population of 65-74 years old and 28% of the population over 74 years old.
Glaucoma is also a leading cause of visual disability and blindness, with a
reported 2.2 million cases of open-angle glaucoma patients. Owing to the rapid
aging of the US population, cases of both AMD and glaucoma will continue to
increase.Florida International University (FIU) researchers develop devices
for improving the quality of life for individuals that suffer from the common
visual impairments associated with age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and
glaucoma. This technology aims to capitalize on the remaining functional areas
of the retina found in AMD and glaucoma patients allowing them to visualize
complete images of the world similarly to how a normal eye would perceive them.
To successfully achieve this, images are captured by a camera, distorted or
reorganized by an algorithm (retaining key visual information), and then
projected onto the aforementioned remaining functional areas of the retina.One concept for the device is a goggle consisting of optical
components, which are capable of redistributing the light transmitting through
the goggle onto the peripheral retina in the case of AMD and the central retina
in the case of glaucoma. Another concept for the device consists of an
individual camera for each eye, which records real-time images at the same
height and same field of view or a normal eye. These images are then processed
and projected onto small screens on the retina.Image distribution on both concepts can be customized
according to the distribution of the remaining photoreceptors of each eye. As a
result, each goggle needs to be customized for different patients. Additionally,
in order to provide stereovision, the two visual glasses need to be aligned in
the way a normal person utilizes their two eyes to see.
Benefit
The technology is flexible it can be reprogrammed as AMD and glaucoma progresses affecting larger portions of a patient’s visual fieldAfter a period of training patients are capable of distinguishing the central and peripheral parts of projected imagesThis technology will help visually impaired patients lead normal lives
Market Application
Medical applications aimed to improving the vision of individuals who suffer from impaired central vision (AMD patients) and impaired peripheral vision (glaucoma patients)The technology has potential applications in the military and defense sector
Brochure
