Head mounted displays highlight challenges of glaucoma

Glaucoma is a group of degenerative eye diseases that affect the optic nerve and is a leading cause of irreversible blindness. In the UK, it is estimated to represent 11 per cent of serious sight impairment cases.

Smart drainage device could help save sight of people with glaucoma

The study, from the Crabb Lab, at City, University of London, suggests that potential applications could include helping policymakers better assess the impact of visual impairment on patients, and helping architects to design more accessible buildings.

Twenty-two volunteers who did not have glaucoma took part in the study, with participants wearing a HMD while performing various tasks in either virtual or augmented reality.

In the virtual reality task, participants were placed in a simulation of a 'cluttered' house. Moving their eyes and head allowed them to look around it in order to find a mobile phone hidden somewhere in the house.