Projects

The Blind Arduino Project grew out of a community effort led by Dr. Miele in late 2015 to better understand barriers faced by blind people wanting to participate in the vibrant global culture of DIY hardware prototyping.

Arduino is an inexpensive, open-source electronics platform used by everyone from young hobbyists to high-tech developers to build computerized devices integrating sensors, motors, displays, wireless communications, and a host of other tools. Arduino is used in schools to teach children basic principles of design and computer science, in industry to quickly and inexpensively…

Difficulty reading is the most common complaint of low vision patients.  It is the Activity of Daily Living that is most closely related to visual acuity, but involves many additional factors beyond. 

Print SIZE provides an assessment (visual acuity) of "How the EYE functions". 

Reading SPEED provides a convenient assessment of “How the PERSON functions.”  

           PDF     Reading acuity (2005)

The IVA system (see below) contains a module to facilitate reading speed measurements.

For eye doctors measuring contrast sensitivity loss during routine eye exams is not a priority, since contrast losses are not disease specific and do not guide treatment decisions. 
For the patient, on the other hand, knowledge about contrast losses, of which they are usually not consciously aware, is very important, since it may affect the performance of Activities of Daily Living and affect safety in mobility tasks.

When visual parameters are measured, the measurements are usually limited to determining peak contrast sensitivity and threshold visual acuity as separate, seamingly independent…

Categorization of visual functioning requires appropriate measurement methods.  Dr. Colenbrander has discussed the principles of functional assessment in several book chapters.

            Measuring Vision and Vision Loss, Vol. 5, chapter 51, in Duane’s Clinical Ophthalmology, (2001, updated and expanded for 2010 edition).   Comprehensive overview, 96 pages, 10 MB.   PDF

            Low Vision Rehabilitation, Special issue of: Ophthalmology Clinics of North America, Colenbrander, Fletcher eds., 7, 2, 1994.

            The Visual System.  Chapter 12 in Master the AMA Guides (L. Cocchiarella, S.J…

Date: Friday, December 4, 2015

Location: The Smith-Kettlewell Eye Research Institute, 2318 Fillmore St., San Francisco CA 94115

The goal of this invitation-only conference was to identify needs for future research in rehabilitation technology, methods for the blind and visually impaired population, and those with dual sensory loss.

Program:

8:45 - 9:15 Check-in and coffee/pastries

9:15 - 9:25 Welcome

9:25 - 9:45 Keynote: Paul Schroeder (link to YouTube video)

9:45 - 10:45 Panel 1: Changing Populations. How should we change our approach to assessing and addressing visual impairments? (link to YouTube…