XRPsys; A New Project to Create Open Source XR Tools to Promote Vision Science

Aaron Seitz¹ (), Lorella Battelli², Krystel Huxlin³, Kristina Visscher⁴; ¹Northeastern University, ²Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, ³University of Rochester, ⁴University of Alabama at Birmingham

Here we introduce the XRPsys, a new project that seeks to make open source basic vision science assessments and interventions accessible to people living with visual impairment. In the U.S. alone, over 6 million people live with low vision, which negatively impacts well-being, economic independence and societal participation. Despite significant advances in healthcare, many researchers, clinicians and patients still do not have easy access to the specialized, lab-based instruments and software needed to accurately assess and treat vision loss. VR and XR headsets provide a unique opportunity to make basic vision science assessments and interventions widely accessible. For example, newer systems with built-in eye-tracking can facilitate gaze-contingent procedures to measure basic perimetry, as well as contrast sensitivity, acuity and motion discrimination in specific areas of the visual field, and to deliver these in the comfort of people’s own homes. Similarly, eye-tracking based interventions that target training to the edges of functional visual fields in people with cortical vision loss, or to the preferred retinal loci in people with macular degeneration have been transformative in helping patients regain visual function that is often inaccessible by other means. The goal of XRPsys is to serve as a lab-in-a-box to revolutionize the ability to study low vision, and to deliver home-based but well-controlled visual “treatments”. Importantly, as an open platform with the goal of accessibility, at all stages of design, development and implementation, teams of researchers, clinicians, engineers and patients will work together to ensure that the developed procedures meet the needs and goals of all stakeholders. This principled, transdisciplinary, team-based approach is designed to maximize access and thus, ultimately serve the lived realities of large numbers of people with low vision. Here we present early stage developments of XRPsys with the goal of gaining community input and to build potential collaborations.

Acknowledgements: NEI R61/R33 EY037510