title: Evaluation of a prototype Minified Augmented-View device for patients with impaired night vision.
abstract: An evaluation was carried out of the first prototype (LV-3) of a new night vision device, which incorporates visual field expansion through minification (Minified Augmented-View), to provide feedback for continuing development. Six subjects with night blindness completed visual function measurements and indoor mobility assessments without a device, with the LV-3 and with a commercially available comparison device (the Multi-Vision) at light levels representative of well lit and poorly lit streets. Device performance and potential benefits in real-world situations were evaluated at four outdoor locations (well lit to very dark). Results indicate that the see-through nature and spectacle-frame mounting of the LV-3 address some of the cosmetic and ergonomic disadvantages of currently available devices; however insufficient light sensitivity of the prototype camera limited LV-3 performance. With improved camera sensitivity and full implementation of the Minified-Contours Augmented-View concept in the next prototype, patients might be able to make better use of the novel field expansion and vision multiplexing features to aid outdoor night mobility.
authors.affiliation: The Schepens Eye Research Institute and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA. abowers@vision.eri.harvard.edu
authors.forename: Alex R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Bowers
authors.forename: Gang
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Luo
authors.forename: Noa M
authors.initials: NM
authors.lastname: Rensing
authors.forename: Eli
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Peli
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003623:Dark Adaptation; D004867:Equipment Design; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009755:Night Blindness / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D009907:Optometry; D010775:Photic Stimulation; D012174:Retinitis Pigmentosa / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy; D012682:Sensory Aids; D014787:Vision Tests