eSight (and similar eyewear systems) are designed to dramatically improve the sight of people with low vision. This allows even the legally blind to enjoy experiences previously thought impossible, and as such has garnered eSight’s system a lot of media attention. Here’s an engineer’s overview of how the system works.
The eSight system includes custom prescription lenses, a video capture/transmission headset, and a controller computer system.
The headset captures HD video at the user’s eye level and sends the images to the controller. The controller then optimizes the video based on the user’s settings and eye condition. Once customized, the video is sent back to the headset to be viewed by LED screens. In real time, the user sees images on the LED screens through their prescription lenses.
Using the peripheral vision of the user, this optimized video heightens the function of the photo receptors, neurons, or cones that remain. These receptors then send an image to the brain which would normally be impossible based on the user’s conditions.
Zoom, contrast, brightness, and color can all be controlled by the user to optimize sight for many situations. The controller even allows the user to freeze frame, which is perfect for reading or enjoying a view. The zoom feature allows for 1.5 - 14x zoom, giving the user the ability to focus on anything from a theatre stage to a book. Furthermore, the contrast dial and six custom color combinations allow the user to adjust their view to better distinguish objects and words.
What helps eSight stand out from similar products is that it’s hands-free, mobile, and auto-adapts to the environment to allow for near-to-far vision. For additional safety, the headset can tilt up to allow the user to see and navigate with their unaided peripheral vision.
The eSight system is designed to help those with vision between 20/60 to 20/400. The system is suitable for the following (though it does not work with tunnel vision):
• Macular Degeneration
• Diabetic Retinopathy
• Stargardt’s Disease
• Ocular Albinism
• Leber’s Hereditary Optic Neuropathy
• Cone-Rod Dystrophy
• Some forms of Glaucoma
• Other low vision conditions
“eSight has developed really exciting technology which helps people with certain types of eye conditions to recapture their vision and start doing things they weren't able to do because of their sight loss.” John Rafferty, President & CEO, CNIB (The Canadian National Institute for the Blind).
At almost $10,000 the system isn’t cheap, but the increased mobility and independence may be worth the price. In any case, it is still a great first step in bringing to life the dream of Geordi La Forge’s visor.
Images Courtesy of eSight and Memory Alpha