People who are almost completely blind can see again with the help of special VR glasses. This is being researched in a study at Essen University Hospital.
Since August, Essen University Hospital has been conducting studies with a special VR glasses. It can enable patients with a tiny amount of residual vision to see almost normally again.
25-year-old can see again after accident
The university hospital is celebrating its first successes in the case of Dominic H. As a teenager, he was blinded by chemical burns to his eyes. With the help of projection glasses, the 25-year-old from Brilon can now see again. One of his first comments: "Dad, you're getting old, I can see the wrinkles on your forehead."
Glasses are like a Projector for the eye
The glasses work like a Projector for the eye. It contains a small projector that uses a laser beam to project a digital image directly onto the retina behind the eyeball. The beams penetrate the damaged cornea and transmit the images directly to the optic nerve.
However, the prerequisite for successful use of the glasses is that the optic nerve and the retina must still be functional. As part of the study, 21 visually impaired patients were allowed to test the glasses at home for three weeks. Now the use and conditions for this are to be researched with further patients.
In the short video documentary on WDRyou can find out more about the project.
Not the only project
Back in 2017, Samsung was already developing an app for Gear VR that helps people with visual impairments. This involves "Relúmĭno"You can find out how it works in our Report experience.
Another exciting research project focussed on blind people and VR. Around two years ago, researchers at Microsoft developed a digital cane called the "Canetroller", which enables visually impaired and blind people to explore virtual reality, as you can see in our video at the time. Report can read about it.
Source: wdr
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