ENGINEERING APPROACHES TO LOW VISION REHABILITATION

描述（由申请人提供）：本提案继续将新的工程方法应用于低视力康复。我们正在开发原型设备，旨在帮助有中心和周边视觉障碍的人。在工程合作伙伴的帮助下，这些设备在临床合作伙伴的帮助下，在不同的患者群体中进行了严格的评估，以确定对功能和生活质量的影响。我们建议继续开发和测试光学和电子设备，旨在恢复中心（高分辨率）和外围（宽视场）视觉的重要相互作用。我们将继续为此探索视觉多路复用概念的实用性。我们的评估和测试结合了在实验室进行控制和定量测试的虚拟环境，以及在日常生活活动（如步行，驾驶，阅读和看电视）中对设备的实际效果和效用的实际评估。外观可接受性和人体工程学是设计设备的重中之重。我们还在开发培训方法，以确保有效使用和适应这些设备；这样的训练方法可以更好地使用这些设备，并可能有助于设计更有效的康复计划。主要研究人员：Russell Woods（项目经理，虚拟行走模拟器研究，双目多路传输），Robert Goldstein（所有计算工作），Alex Bowers（驾驶研究，真实行走），Gang Luo（与MicroOptical公司就头戴式显示器（HMD）开发进行互动）；HMD评估)和Henry Apfelbaum（影响空间复用的心理物理约束；支持工程和软件）。来自合作伙伴组织的首席研究员：Noa Rensing， MicroOptical（增强视觉HMD系统的光学、电子和人体工程学开发；将基于反射镜的望远镜嵌入到眼镜镜片中），Karen Keeney, Chadwick optical（在眼镜镜片中安装光学元件的新方法的开发）；Manbir Sodhi， Rl大学(生产高质量的离轴抛物面镜；与Rensing博士合作嵌入它们。他还将生产基于镜面的棱镜装置，基尼将把它安装在镜头中)；Kent Higgins, Lighthouse NY（驾驶模拟器研究）；Mark Tant，比利时道路安全研究所（在安特卫普和根特大学的临床帮助下，在比利时进行道路研究）。辛西娅·奥斯利的团队，美国大学，伯明翰（低视力驾驶研究）。Carel Hoyng, Radboud U. Nijmegen，荷兰（植入双焦点人工晶状体），Mr. Verezen, Ergra Low Vision，荷兰（为患者安装双焦点远视系统并训练使用）。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): This proposal continues the application of novel engineering approaches to low vision rehabilitation. We are developing prototype devices designed to help people with impairments of central and peripheral vision. The devices, built with the help of engineering partners, are evaluated critically, with the help of clinical partners, in diverse patient populations to determine the effects on function and quality of life. We propose to continue to develop and test optical and electronic devices aimed at restoring the important interplay of central (high- resolution) and peripheral (wide-field) vision. We will continue to explore the utility of the Vision Multiplexing concept for this. Our assessments and testing combine virtual environments for controlled and quantitative testing in the lab, and on-the-street evaluation for real-life determination of the effects and utility of the devices for activities of daily living such as walking, driving, reading and watching television. Cosmetic acceptability and ergonomics are high priorities in designing the devices. We are also developing training methods to ensure effective use of and adaptation to the devices; such training methods should lead to better use of the devices and might help with designing more effective rehabilitation programs. Lead investigators: Russell Woods (Project manager; virtual walking simulator studies; biocular multiplexing), Robert Goldstein (all computational efforts), Alex Bowers (driving studies; real-world walking), Gang Luo (interaction with MicroOptical regarding head mounted display (HMD) development; HMD assessment), and Henry Apfelbaum (psychophysical constraints affecting spatial multiplexing; support engineering & software). Lead investigators from partner organizations: Noa Rensing, MicroOptical (optical, electronic, and ergonomic development of the augmented vision HMD system; embedding the mirror-based telescope into a spectacle lens), Karen Keeney, Chadwick Optical (novel development of ways to mount optical elements in spectacle lenses); Manbir Sodhi, Univ. of Rl (producing high quality off-axis parabolic mirrors; collaborating with Dr. Rensing on embedding them. He will also produce the mirror-based prismatic device, which Ms. Keeney will mount in lenses); Kent Higgins, Lighthouse NY (driving simulator studies); Mark Tant, Belgian Road Safety Institute (on-road studies in Belgium with clinical help from the U. of Antwerp and Gent). Cynthia Owsley's team, U. AL, Birmingham (driving with low visual acuity studies). Carel Hoyng, Radboud U. Nijmegen, Holland (implant bifocal intraocular lenses), Mr. Verezen, Ergra Low Vision, Holland (fit patients with double bifocal teledioptric system and train in use).