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How to Restore Reading With Visual Prostheses

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Visual Prosthesis and Ophthalmic Devices

Part of the book series: Ophthalmology Research ((OPHRES))

Abstract

In daily life sight is used for mainly two types of tasks. Those requiring the recognition of small forms or objects as it is specifically done in reading and those requiring spatial orientation and localization in three-dimensional environments, such as whole body mobility and visuo-motor coordination. For the former the central part of the visual field is mainly used, whereas the latter rely for an essential part on the peripheral visual field. Both have to be seriously considered when developing useful vision aids for low vision and/or blind patients. This chapter is dedicated to the particular question: What are minimum requirements for visual prostheses to restore useful reading abilities to blind patients?

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Eye Clinic, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland

    Jörg Sommerhalder PhD

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  1. Jörg Sommerhalder PhD
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT

    Joyce Tombran-Tink PhD

  2. Department of Neural and Behavioral Sciences, Penn State University College of Medicine, Hershey, PA

    Colin J. Barnstable DPhil (Professor and Chair, Director and Co-Director) (Professor and Chair, Director and Co-Director)

  3. Penn State Hershey Neuroscience Research Institute, Penn State University College of Medicine, Hershey, PA

    Colin J. Barnstable DPhil (Professor and Chair, Director and Co-Director) (Professor and Chair, Director and Co-Director)

  4. Penn State Neuroscience Institute, Penn State University College of Medicine, Hershey, PA

    Colin J. Barnstable DPhil (Professor and Chair, Director and Co-Director) (Professor and Chair, Director and Co-Director)

  5. Ophthalmology Department, Harvard Medical School, Veteran’s Administration Hospital, Boston, MA

    Joseph F. Rizzo III MD (Director) (Director)

  6. Department of Ophthalmology, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Veteran’s Administration Hospital, Boston, MA

    Joseph F. Rizzo III MD (Director) (Director)

  7. Center of Innovative Visual Rehabilitation, Veteran’s Administration Hospital, Boston, MA

    Joseph F. Rizzo III MD (Director) (Director)

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Sommerhalder, J. (2007). How to Restore Reading With Visual Prostheses. In: Tombran-Tink, J., Barnstable, C.J., Rizzo, J.F. (eds) Visual Prosthesis and Ophthalmic Devices. Ophthalmology Research. Humana Press. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-59745-449-0_3

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