Simulation of vision impairment with virtual imaging

Abstract

This abstract introduces a system that intends to provide a reasonably accurate simulation of what is like to be visually impaired. Using virtual imaging, healthy sighted can experience different types of visual impairments such as glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, cataract, central and peripheral ring scotoma, among others. The system consists of a virtual reality helmet that immerses the user in a computer controlled environment. Steady images or real-time video can be projected on the helmet together with a selected visual impairment. The main goals of this project are to educate healthy sighted about low-vision and to provide a platform that recreates low-vision conditions for healthy sighted in order to test mobility and reading assistive devices.