The Use of Meta AI Glasses With Be My Eyes Network to Improve Mobility in Patients With Low Vision

Background

Visual impairment, including both low vision and blindness, ranks among the 10 most prevalent causes of disability in North America1. Glaucoma causes irreversible vision loss, and treatments are only available to prevent disease onset and progression, but no cure is available.2. Patients with vision loss have impairments in both physical and mental health, thus limiting their activities of daily living (ADLs).3 In turn, these patients exhibit a decreased quality of life which can result in lowered self-esteem and depression.4,5 In patients with glaucoma, functional loss often begins with glare sensitivity, mobility and difficulty ambulating.5 Due to decreased peripheral vision, patients tend to have an increased risk of accidents and falls. One study found that glaucoma patients walked up to 10% slower than those without glaucoma4. In turn, these patients experienced almost twice as many bumps, stumbles and orientation issues as compared to non-glaucomatous patients.6

Low visual acuity significantly impairs mobility in patients with retinal dystrophies, as it reduces the ability to detect obstacles, navigate unfamiliar environments, and maintain safe ambulation, especially under variable lighting conditions. Performance-based assessments such as the multi-luminance mobility test (MLMT) demonstrate that reduced visual acuity, along with diminished visual field and contrast sensitivity, correlates with slower travel speed, increased collisions, and greater difficulty in orientation and navigation tasks in real-world settings.7,8

Rationale for the Proposed Research

Although a range of low-vision devices is currently available, none are explicitly designed to address mobility as a primary functional outcome. Existing technologies largely target near tasks through optical magnification, providing support for seated reading but offering limited benefit for individuals whose major challenges stem from peripheral visual field loss or real-world navigation difficulties, an unmet need in patients with glaucoma and many inherited retinal disorders.