gms | German Medical Science

Artificial Vision 2017

The International Symposium on Visual Prosthetics

01.12. - 02.12.2017, Aachen

Evaluation of a retinal imaging laser eye wear

Meeting Abstract

  • Michael M. Oeverhaus - Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany
  • D. Dekowski - Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany
  • M. Stöhr - Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany
  • J. Holtemeyer - Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany
  • B. Schaperdoth-Gerlings - Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany
  • J. Esser - Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany
  • A. Eckstein - Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany

Artificial Vision 2017. Aachen, 01.-02.12.2017. Düsseldorf: German Medical Science GMS Publishing House; 2017. Doc17artvis40

doi: 10.3205/17artvis41, urn:nbn:de:0183-17artvis412

Published: November 30, 2017

© 2017 Oeverhaus et al.
This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License. See license information at http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/.


Outline

Text

Objective: We evaluated a new wearable laser eye wear (LEW) technology where images of an integrated camera are scanned directly to the retina by a Class 1 RGB-Laser (<1µW), which is directed by a two-axis MEMS-mirror and a non-axisymmetric free-surface reflecting mirror. The user sees a full color live video as augmented reality embed in his field of view. The device projects thin parallel laser beams through the center of the ocular lens, ensuring thereby independency of refractive errors and the users focusing ability (Maxwellian view). To test this independency, we performed a clinical trial with healthy subjects.

Methods: To evaluate this new technology we tested the LEW in healthy subjects (n=5, mean age: 37.2y). For testing the independence of refractive errors we included only subjects with myopia, hyperopia, astigmatism and/or presbyopia (Range: Sph +4.5 till ‒6.5). Standardized visual acuity (VA) measurements (ETDRS) and reading tests (International Reading Speed Texts, IReST) were performed with best correction and with and without LEW.

Results: Visual acuity was significantly higher while using LEW, compared to uncorrected VA (LogMAR: 0.8 vs 0.45), but lower compared to best corrected VA (-0.06 logMAR). All subjects reached at least 0.5 LogMAR. Reading speed was improved with LEW in subjects with presbyopia and hyperopia compared to uncorrected reading. Fastest reading speed could be achieved with best correction.

Discussion: We could show that the LEW’s projection is independent of refractive errors. Since cornea and lens are not needed for focus, this technology should be especially beneficial for patients with visual impairment (VI) due to corneal diseases. These patients could increase their visual acuity since LEW can circumvent their reason of VI. Furthermore, LEW might be ideal to stimulate retinal implants due to the independency of the patient’s focusing ability. Future studies should address these topics.