JOIN NOW

The Future of Optometry: Integrating Virtual Reality into Eye Care

by | Jan 1, 2024 | Manuscripts | 0 comments

Simran Shet Parkar, M.Optom

Lecturer of Optometry, Acharya Institute of Allied Health Sciences (AIAHS), Karnataka, India

 

As Virtual Reality (VR) continues to gain widespread adoption worldwide, one might wonder if optometry is keeping up with the trend. Before delving into the topic let us briefly know about what VR is. VR creates a computer-generated environment with headsets to provide a lifelike and immersive experience. Integrating this technology into eye care can provide numerous benefits and opportunities for both optometrists and patients. (1,2)

1. Virtual Reality in Optometry
The integration of VR within Optometry represents groundbreaking advancements i.e., reshaping the field of eye care. Its applications are versatile across various domains of optometry including diagnostics (figure 1), patient management, and education.

1.1 Diagnostics
Notably, in the arena of glaucoma diagnostics, VR perimetry emerges as a significant change, offering immersive and patient-friendly visual field testing through VR headsets. (3,4) This not only enhances diagnostic accuracy but also envisions a future where patients can monitor their visual health in the comfort of their homes, marking a significant stride toward accessible and personalised eye care. (5,6)

Beyond traditional assessments, VR introduces novel approaches to binocular vision disorders, (7) automating strabismus assessments with VR alternate prism cover test. (8,9) The use extends to amblyopia, where VR dichoptic tests quantify the severity of the suppression. (10,11) Further, VR takes centre stage in the diagnosis of choroidal and retinal diseases. (12)

Figure 1. Domains of optometry utilising Virtual Reality

1.2 Management
VR offers specialised applications for vision therapies, improving coordination, depth perception, and focus. It effectively addresses conditions like amblyopia, strabismus, and non-strabismic binocular vision anomalies, while also aiding those with low vision through magnification tools and alleviating digital eye strain. (13) Moreover, VR assists athletes in sports vision training and aids stroke patients in visual rehabilitation. Its adaptability for testing lighting impacts and providing real-time feedback during rehabilitation exercises solidifies VR’s role. (14)

1.3 Education
The technology revolutionised optometry education by ensuring equitable access to learning regardless of location, providing instant feedback and safe practice opportunities. Customisable scenarios enable personalised learning paths, optimising resources and fostering engagement among students. VR’s immersive nature engages students, promotes innovative learning, and allows for risk-free exploration, amplifying skill development within optometry studies. (14,15)

2. A Glimpse into Tomorrow’s Eye Care
As we dive into tomorrow’s eye care, VR advancements will revolutionise diagnostics, treatment, and education further, playing a vital role in shaping the next generation of optometry practice. Picture virtual reality-driven telemedicine enabling remote eye exams and consultations, empowering patients to monitor and manage their eye health from home. Enhanced VR modules will deepen optometry education, creating realistic scenarios for comprehensive student learning and fostering innovation. The integration of haptic feedback and Artificial Intelligence algorithms will refine diagnostic precision, enabling early detection and personalised interventions.

While integrating Virtual Reality (VR) into eye care holds great promise, challenges exist. Cost remains an obstacle, but ongoing technological advancements are expected to drive affordability. Ethical considerations, including patient privacy and data security, must be diligently addressed to foster trust and regulatory compliance. (14,15)

Conclusion:

As we navigate the future of eye care, the integration of Virtual Reality stands as a transformative force, promising a landscape where innovation, accessibility, and personalised care converge to redefine the very essence of optometry. Future advancements in VR technology are expected to further revolutionise eye care. Despite challenges, ongoing technological progress will pave the way for more accessible and effective VR-driven solutions. Effectively implementing VR in eye care practice promises a new era of personalized, innovative, and comprehensive vision.

 

References

  1. Brigham TJ . Reality check: basics of augmented, virtual, and mixed reality. Med Ref Serv Q. 2017;36:171–8.
  2. Anitha SP ,Prabha Susy M . Impact of virtual reality in healthcare: a review.Giuliana G, editor. Virtual and augmented reality in mental health treatment. Hershey, PA, USA: IGI Global; 2019. p. 17–31.
  3. Razeghinejad R ,Gonzalez-Garcia A ,Myers JS ,Katz LJ . Preliminary report on a novel virtual reality perimeter compared with standard automated perimetry. J Glaucoma. 2021;30:17–23.
  4. Mees L ,Upadhyaya S ,Kumar P ,et al.Validation of a head-mounted virtual reality visual field screening device. J Glaucoma. 2020;29:86–91.
  5. Montelongo M ,Gonzalez A ,Morgenstern F ,et al.A virtual reality-based automated perimeter, device, and pilot study. Transl Vis Sci Technol. 2021;10:20.
  6. Tsapakis S ,Papaconstantinou D ,Diagourtas A ,et al.Home-based visual field test for glaucoma screening comparison with Humphrey perimeter. Clin Ophthalmol. 2018;12:2597–606.
  7. Handa T ,Ishikawa H ,Shimizu K ,et al.A novel apparatus for testing binocular function using the ’CyberDome’ three-dimensional hemispherical visual display system. Eye (Lond). 2009;23:2094–8.
  8. Yeh PH ,Liu CH ,Sun MH ,et al.To measure the amount of ocular deviation in strabismus patients with an eye-tracking virtual reality headset. BMC Ophthalmol. 2021;21:246.
  9. Miao Y ,Jeon JY ,Park G ,et al.Virtual reality-based measurement of ocular deviation in strabismus. Comput Meth Prog Biomed. 2020;185:105132.
  10. Black JM ,Hess RF ,Cooperstock JR ,et al.The measurement and treatment of suppression in amblyopia. J Vis Exp. 2012(70):e3927
  11. Panachakel JT ,Ramakrishnan AG ,Manjunath KP . VR glasses based measurement of responses to dichoptic stimuli: a potential tool for quantifying amblyopia? Ann Int Conf IEEE Eng Med Biol Soc. 2020;2020:5106–10
  12. Gruber M ,Wolf J ,Stahl A ,et al.Novel insights into retinal neovascularization secondary to central serous chorioretinopathy using 3D optical coherence tomography angiography. Am J Ophthalmol Case Rep. 2020;18:100609
  13. Levi DM. Applications and implications for extended reality to improve binocular vision and stereopsis. J Vis. 2023 Jan 3;23(1):14. doi: 10.1167/jov.23.1.14. PMID: 36662501; PMCID: PMC9872838.
  14. https://www.my-iclinic.co.uk/articles/the-future-of-virtual-reality-headsets-for-eye-health
  15. https://modernod.com/articles/2019-nov-dec/virtual-reality-coming-to-a-lane-near-you?c4src=article:infinite-scroll

 

Submit a Comment