Vibration Vest - Validity Study with Sighted Controls v1

Many individuals with advanced glaucoma and retinal dystrophies have functional difficulty due to a loss of peripheral vision. These individuals may have sufficient central vision to read and perform visual tasks in a controlled situation, but are often unable to function in a cluttered, unstructured or chaotic environment (i.e. a normal social situation). This is because they lack the ability to be visually alerted to an incentive or threat outside the narrowed region of their central vision. Some groups of these patients, for example those with a diagnosis of retinitis pigmentosa, also experience nyctalopia (night blindness) meaning that time of day can alter their functional ability. Currently, there are limited options to aid these patients. Intel Corporation has developed a computer-based assistive device that may be useful for these individuals. Intel has recently made the design details and software available via the internet. The device consists of a vest or shirt with an attached depth-sensing camera, a computer and vibration transducers (6 on the vest and one on each foot). The transducers vibrate to alert the wearer to objects that are approaching them, or if they are walking, alert them to objects that they may be approaching. We propose to test subjects wearing the device to determine its usefulness. This will consist of participants with no known visual problems wearing goggles that will reduce their peripheral vision, replicating the effects of the diseases mentioned. The participants will be asked to walk through simple maze scenarios wearing the vibration vest and two different pairs of goggles. Two versions will be performed with the vest switched off and then it will be activated, equalling four mazes per participant. Each participant will also answer two short questionnaires, one before and one after using the device, to help determine the possible benefits and drawbacks of the device. The results will then be analysed to conclude whether an electronic device such as this could be useful to enhance visual function in those with reduced peripheral vision. This could then be applied to patients affected by these diseases.