Abstract
Objective: 1) Develop real-time image stabilization using immersive augmented reality eyewear to counteract bobbing oscillopsia in patients with bilateral vestibular loss (BVL). 2) Measure change in dynamic visual acuity (DVA) in patients with BVL using the device.
Method: Immersive virtual reality glasses used in combination with a compact digital video camera were used. A software algorithm was developed that used a center-weighted Lucas-Kanade optical flow method to stabilize video in real time. Six patients were tested for changes in DVA using the eyewear.
Results: The ability to read a Snellen chart during a 2Hz oscillating head rotation DVA test showed a drop in visual acuity during head movement from a mean of 7.9 (SD = 0.8) lines at rest to 3.1 (SD = 2.0) lines during a 2Hz head rotation. This improved to 5.7 (SD = 1.2) lines with image stabilization with the same 2Hz rotation (P < .001). All reported a considerable subjective improvement in vision in addition to the Snellen chart test.
Conclusion: This is the first successful attempt to improve dynamic visual acuity in patients with bilateral vestibular loss. Recent hardware upgrades are promising in improving these results even further.
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