Publication: Development of an Electronic Visual Aid for Monocular Visual Impaired Patients
Date
2020-04
Authors
Nirvenesh A/L Ravindran
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Abstract
The purpose of this research is to develop a working prototype of a visual aid for
monocular visual impaired patients. Monocular visual impaired patients most
commonly do not have the ability to obtain 3-dimensional visualization on their
surroundings and have a reduced field of vison. The primary function of this prototype
is to increase the field of vision by at least 20%, as it is the minimum gain of visual
field based on previous studies and to enable them to have depth perception on their
surroundings. The research was started by understanding the requirements of patients
and healthcare professionals through surveys and interviews at Tun Hussein Onn Eye
Hospital. A house of quality was then constructed to analyse the data that was obtained.
A total of three phases of development of prototype was conducted to develop this
prototype. Each phase of the development was separated into hardware and software,
in terms of hardware, the designs were analysed and the suitable microcontrollers were
developed. In terms of software, the algorithms for the field of vision and depth
perception was focused. Each phase of development underwent feedback review from
healthcare professionals. The final phase of the prototype was tested on real patients
at the hospital with two setup apparatus to justify both the objective, it was found that
the angle of field of vision has increased from an average of 110 degrees to an average
of 176 degree, which is an increase in field of vision by 60% and the depth perception
was evident for all 100% of patients that used the visual aid. A final cost analysis was
also conducted to reduce and justify the current cost of the visual aid which costs less
than RM750.00 which are cheaper than current treatment costs of monocular visual
impairement in a year. In a nutshell, this research has successfully developed a cost efficient visual aid for monocular visual impaired patients to have depth perception
and a huge increase in the field of vision.