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The Accessibility of Commercial Off-The-Shelf Virtual Reality for Low Vision Users: A Macular Degeneration Case Study.

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Title: The Accessibility of Commercial Off-The-Shelf Virtual Reality for Low Vision Users: A Macular Degeneration Case Study.
Authors: Powell, Wendy (AUTHOR), Powell, Vaughan (AUTHOR), Cook, Marc (AUTHOR)
Source: CyberPsychology, Behavior & Social Networking. Mar2020, Vol. 23 Issue 3, p185-191. 7p. 4 Diagrams, 3 Charts, 1 Graph, 1 Map.
Subjects: Low vision, Retinal degeneration, Virtual reality, Visual perception, Color vision
Abstract: Virtual reality (VR) is demonstrating increasing potential for therapeutic benefit in elderly care, but it is still generally considered to be the domain of the visually unimpaired. Even where VR and augmented reality (AR) are being explored for use with low vision, it is generally with a focus on creating bespoke software and hardware. However, the properties of commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) headsets, such as high luminance, may render them accessible even to very low vision users. Using a case-study approach, we explored the differences in visual perception from baseline to pass-through AR and commercial VR applications for an elderly female (Mrs. M) with advanced age-related macular degeneration. We found notable improvements in object, face, and color recognition, particularly with higher display brightness. Furthermore, Mrs. M was able to engage fully and enthusiastically with a number of (unmodified) VR applications, providing detailed descriptions of both static and moving elements. We suggest that the high luminance available in COTS VR may support more stable fixation closer to the fovea, improving visual resolution. Furthermore, the improvements we noted in color perception support previous suggestions that increasing luminance may improve photosensitivity by reducing the uptake of limited oxygen by the rod cells. We conclude that low vision should not automatically preclude users from engaging in VR research or entertainment, and that they may be able to use well-illuminated VR applications without any special modifications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Copyright of CyberPsychology, Behavior & Social Networking is the property of Mary Ann Liebert, Inc. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
Database: Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection
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  Data: The Accessibility of Commercial Off-The-Shelf Virtual Reality for Low Vision Users: A Macular Degeneration Case Study.
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Powell%2C+Wendy%22">Powell, Wendy</searchLink> (AUTHOR)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Powell%2C+Vaughan%22">Powell, Vaughan</searchLink> (AUTHOR)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Cook%2C+Marc%22">Cook, Marc</searchLink> (AUTHOR)
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="JN" term="%22CyberPsychology%2C+Behavior+%26+Social+Networking%22">CyberPsychology, Behavior & Social Networking</searchLink>. Mar2020, Vol. 23 Issue 3, p185-191. 7p. 4 Diagrams, 3 Charts, 1 Graph, 1 Map.
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Low+vision%22">Low vision</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Retinal+degeneration%22">Retinal degeneration</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Virtual+reality%22">Virtual reality</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Visual+perception%22">Visual perception</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Color+vision%22">Color vision</searchLink>
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  Label: Abstract
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  Data: Virtual reality (VR) is demonstrating increasing potential for therapeutic benefit in elderly care, but it is still generally considered to be the domain of the visually unimpaired. Even where VR and augmented reality (AR) are being explored for use with low vision, it is generally with a focus on creating bespoke software and hardware. However, the properties of commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) headsets, such as high luminance, may render them accessible even to very low vision users. Using a case-study approach, we explored the differences in visual perception from baseline to pass-through AR and commercial VR applications for an elderly female (Mrs. M) with advanced age-related macular degeneration. We found notable improvements in object, face, and color recognition, particularly with higher display brightness. Furthermore, Mrs. M was able to engage fully and enthusiastically with a number of (unmodified) VR applications, providing detailed descriptions of both static and moving elements. We suggest that the high luminance available in COTS VR may support more stable fixation closer to the fovea, improving visual resolution. Furthermore, the improvements we noted in color perception support previous suggestions that increasing luminance may improve photosensitivity by reducing the uptake of limited oxygen by the rod cells. We conclude that low vision should not automatically preclude users from engaging in VR research or entertainment, and that they may be able to use well-illuminated VR applications without any special modifications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
– Name: AbstractSuppliedCopyright
  Label:
  Group: Ab
  Data: <i>Copyright of CyberPsychology, Behavior & Social Networking is the property of Mary Ann Liebert, Inc. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract.</i> (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
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        Value: 10.1089/cyber.2019.0409
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        Text: English
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        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Retinal degeneration
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Virtual reality
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Visual perception
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Color vision
        Type: general
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      – TitleFull: The Accessibility of Commercial Off-The-Shelf Virtual Reality for Low Vision Users: A Macular Degeneration Case Study.
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              Text: Mar2020
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