Varun Ranganathan, MCOptom

Clinical Optometrist

An OCULAR Interface Exclusive

Virtual Reality (VR) is breaking new ground beyond gaming, particularly in eye care. VR is transforming how we diagnose and treat eye conditions and understand eye health. This article explores the expanding role of VR in modern eye care, from offering innovative solutions for both patients and professionals to enhancing vision rehabilitation for patients with visual impairments.

What is Virtual Reality?

Virtual Reality (VR) stimulates a 3D environment in which users can experience and interact with their virtual surroundings. ¹ Usually, these experiences are generated using goggles or headsets. Depth perception is made possible by generating a slightly different image with lenses which reshape the image and create a stereoscopic image. Head tracking makes the experience more immersive as the image moves with head movements. ²

The use of VR in eye care is getting increasingly popular. Generally, Artificial Intelligence (AI) algorithms are used in diagnosing eye conditions and in data sampling. Management of certain eye conditions with VR makes it much more enjoyable and can warrant a more realistic prognosis. We shall now discuss the different areas VR is enhancing management methods.

VR in Vision Therapy

Since VR devices are binocularly active, it can be used in managing amblyopia and other binocular vision anomalies better than conventional methods. Vision therapy exercises can be more dynamic which can help in stimulating the amblyopic eye. ³ Other vision therapy exercises which target convergence insufficiency, divergence excess and visual stress will be more immersive for patients leading to better prognosis. ⁴

VR in CVI

Certain cortical visual impairment conditions like traumatic brain injury, stroke, seizures, cerebral palsy can incorporate VR devices for vision rehabilitation. ⁵ Patients can be trained in challenging surroundings which can increase the chances of quicker rehabilitation.

VR in Low Vision

The management methods for low vision patients are mostly limited to magnifiers and telescopes. VR goggles and headsets can be equipped with magnification, increased contrast sensitivity and text-to-speech options. ⁶ This can empower individuals with low vision to navigate the world, more independently.

VR in Surgical Training

Since VR headsets can create a virtual surrounding, the choices of such surroundings can be unlimited. For example, it can create a virtual surrounding of an operation theatre and can enable surgeons to practice different surgeries in a risk-free environment. ⁷ Several sight-saving surgeries can be virtually created to help ophthalmologists to practice and hone their skills and surgical techniques.

With VR gradually gaining momentum, its uses in eye care are surprisingly straightforward, all the while maintaining high standards of practice. Though currently VR devices are being used in research extensively, their scope for the future of management methods can be vast and not limited to the above-mentioned areas.

References

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