Scientific

Abstract – The neurophysiology of vergence control has been only partially investigated, so there is much to be learned from the behavioral study of vergence dynamics. This study used a set of symmetrical and asymmetrical vergence tasks to elucidate the variety of vergence control mechanisms. In principle, there are seven possible mechanisms of vergence control: disparity vergence, diplopia vergence, accommodative vergence, proximal/distal vergence, uniocular saccadic vergence, binocular saccadic vergence,  anisometric saccadic vergence, and voluntary vergence. Of these, four are well-recognized and have well-established oculomotor dynamics: accommodative vergence (slow), disparity vergence (medium), proximal/distal vergence (medium), and anisometric saccadic vergence (fast). Analysis of 12 kinds of symmetrical and asymmetrical vergence eye movements to LED targets in 34 individuals will be used to elucidate the occurrence and characteristics of this variety of vergence movements and to provide clues as to their underlying mechanisms. https://ski.org/users/christopher-tyler

Abstract – I will present some ongoing work examining two-handed braille reading in comparison to one-handed braille reading. This follows up on prior work by Daisy Lei, Natalie Stepien-Bernabe, Val Morash, and Manfred MacKeben who examined the effect of braille dot height on regressions in one-handed reading in which ten blind proficient braille readers aged 22 to 70, both left- and right-handed, read continuous prose passages embossed on paper (141 to 162 words in length, adapted from IReST texts) with one or both hands while reading aloud. Finger positions were measured at 240 Hz using electromagnetic position sensors attached to the participants’ fingers. Preliminary results show that reading braille with both hands allows for higher reading speeds than single-handed reading by, on average, about 27%, and that reading strategies varied widely between participants. Regressive hand movements could occur in either hand, or in both hands simultaneously, and increased with diminishing dot height. Notably, some participants read disparate text with the left and right hands simultaneously, a signature of “simultaneous disjoint reading” long debated in the braille reading literature. https://ski.org/users/santani-teng  Abstract – I will present some ongoing work examining two-handed braille reading in comparison to one-handed braille reading. This follows up on prior work by Daisy Lei, Natalie Stepien-Bernabe, Val Morash, and Manfred MacKeben who examined the effect of braille dot height on regressions in one-handed reading in which ten blind proficient braille readers aged 22 to 70, both left- and right-handed, read continuous prose passages embossed on paper (141 to 162 words in length, adapted from IReST texts) with one or both hands while reading aloud. Finger positions were measured at 240 Hz using electromagnetic position sensors attached to the participants’ fingers. Preliminary results show that reading braille with both hands allows for higher reading speeds than single-handed reading by, on average, about 27%, and that reading strategies varied widely between participants. Regressive hand movements could occur in either hand, or in both hands simultaneously, and increased with diminishing dot height. Notably, some participants read disparate text with the left and right hands simultaneously, a signature of “simultaneous disjoint reading” long debated in the braille reading literature.https://ski.org/users/santani-teng

Abstract – This session will be focused on reviewing and critiquing the study design and analysis methods I have been, and will be doing for a study in progress. I have several road blocks and challenges I need to overcome and would really love feedback. This study is a review of the system Josh Miele developed at SKERI and transferred to the Lighthouse in 2017. In the attached document, the following headings are of particular interest: Important Links: has a link to the data My questions: Questions I would like to pose to the group Research Question: The premise of the study Initial Significant observations of the data: a list of significant observations I have made from the data so far Abstract: Maps are critical tools used to communicate spatial information, including landmark, route, and survey knowledge (Brock, Truillet, Oriola, Picard, & Jouffrais, 2015). Surveys conducted on blind individuals, such as Butler, Holloway, Marriott, & Goncu (2017), point to lack of availability being the primary cause of lower tactile map usage. When the blind participants in this study were asked why they wanted a map, the blind users expressed having maps, rather than text descriptions, was transformational and they experienced greater confidence, empowerment, and comfort while traveling after viewing a map. Tactile Map Automated Production (TMAPs) is a system for quickly generating tactile maps of neighborhoods from a specific address (Miele, Landau, & Gilden, 2006), which are downloaded from the online interface and embossed or mailed directly to the individual ordering them. The TMAP project was conceived at The Smith-Kettlewell Eye Research Institute and was transferred to the Lighthouse for the Blind in San Francisco in 2017 for continued support and development as TMAPs 2.0 (Lighthouse, 2020). This paper aims to investigate the effect TMAPs have had on the blind and visually impaired community since its first cluster of beta testers in October 2017, and what TMAPs can do to increase its reach. Ten participants were interviewed for this study: five blind individuals, four orientation and Mobility (O&M) specialists, and one blind O&M. All the users had obtained 2 or more TMAPs in the last year. Our study shows that availability to view TMAPs at home dramatically increases map usage, and suggests that making low-cost maps available with rapid turnaround is the most effective way to increase map usage among blind individuals in the future. Moderator for zoom: Nick/Al Lotze/ArvindPlease note: 15 minutes has been allotted within this one hour meeting period for Q&A.  Time: While are yet in Shelter-in Place, this is an hour meeting  2:00-3:00 PM Pacific Standard Time Zone Join Zoom Meetinghttps://zoom.us/j/744053212?pwd=MXJKbk9IY2NYNDc0QjBmWFpGZ1Zqdz09Join our Cloud HD Video Meeting nowZoom is the leader in modern enterprise video communications, with an easy, reliable cloud platform for video and audio conferencing, chat, and webinars across mobile, desktop, and room systems. Zoom Rooms is the original software-based conference room solution used around the world in board, conference, huddle, and training rooms, as well as executive offices and classrooms. Founded in 2011, Zoom helps businesses and organizations bring their teams together in a frictionless environment to get more done. Zoom is a publicly traded company headquartered in San Jose, CA.zoom.usMeeting ID: 744 053 212Password: 024291 One tap mobile+16699006833,,744053212# US (San Jose)+13462487799,,744053212# US (Houston) Dial by your location        +1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose)        +1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)        +1 253 215 8782 US        +1 301 715 8592 US        +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)        +1 929 205 6099 US (New York) Meeting ID: 744 053 212Find your local number: https://zoom.us/u/aBSVHx4Qi NOTE: for security:Do NOT share the link or password with anyonePassword input may be necessary for you to join in. The meeting will be locked down 20 minutes after it starts to prevent unauthorized entry.https://www.ski.org/users/brandon-biggs

Abstract – People do not use fixation when they visually explore the world. They do it only if they have to detect a minute change in a tiny target, which improves sensory input. Otherwise, researchers can force them to fixate to preserve topographic accuracy. i.e. for the purpose of delivering a stimulus to a particular place on the retina. This is best done under direct inspection of the retina with a scanning laser ophthalmoscope (SLO) and sophisticated software. However, that is not practical due to low availability and high cost. No matter how hard you try, the eyes never stand completely still. While fixating, the eyes show 3 kinds of involuntary movements: Tremor, slow drifts, and small, fast saccades. The literature has been clear about that for over a half-century, but some interpretations are still controversial. When people read, they perform saccades through the text, but they also make pauses between them, during which information is acquired. These pauses have often been called “fixations”, but I will show you why they are really not. https://ski.org/users/manfred-mackeben

The title and abstract are forthcoming. https://ski.org/users/arvind-chandna    

Abstract – Introduction: Almost everything we know about visual functions in amblyopia other than visual acuity comes from adults, studied long after initial onset, and often treatment of the disorder. Studies indicate that vernier and optotype measures are correlated in amblyopic adults. Here, we report fundamental differences between children and adults with strabismic amblyopia. Method: Prospective, longitudinal controlled study. Spectral analysis of swept Visual Evoked Potential (sVEP) responses were used to isolate vernier-offset related responses in children with recent onset strabismic amblyopia (strab-amb.) n=11, mean age 5.24 years, mean (SD) interocular acuity difference 0.27 (0.16) LogMAR. and typically developing children (control): n=16, mean age 5.14 years at presentation and following conventional treatment. Results:  Despite significant optotype acuity deficits and favorable treatment response (p<0.05); vernier response functions were not significantly different between a) the preferred and amblyopic eyes of strab-amb. children; b) either eye of strab-amb. group vs. control children; and c) stable vernier response after treatment in strab-amb. group. Discussion:  Vernier response in previously untreated strab-amb. children is unaffected, in contrast to the clear deficits reported in previously treated adults with the same amblyopia subtype and in children with anisometropic amblyopia of the same age. The difference between adult and child strabismic amblyopes may indicate differential amblyogenic processes at different stages of cortical involvement and in different etiologies.