Abstract
Objective. Our main objective is to demonstrate that compact high radiance gallium nitride displays can be used with conventional virtual reality optics to stimulate an optogenetic retina. Hence, we aim to introduce a non-invasive approach to restore vision for people with conditions such as retinitis pigmentosa where there is a remaining viable communication link between the retina and the visual cortex. Approach. We design and implement the headset using a high-density µLED matrix, Raspberry Pi, microcontroller from NXP and virtual reality lens. Then, a test platform is developed to evaluate the performance of the headset and the optical system. Furthermore, image simplification algorithms are used to simplify the scene to be sent to the retina. Moreover, in vivo evaluation of the genetically modified retina response at different light intensity is discussed to prove the reliability of the proposed system. Main results. We demonstrate that in keeping with regulatory guidance, the headset displays need to limit their luminance to 90 kcd m−2. We demonstrate an optical system with 5.75% efficiency which allows for 0.16 mW mm−2 irradiance on the retina within the regulatory guidance, but which is capable of an average peak irradiance of 1.35 mW mm−2. As this is lower than the commonly accepted threshold for channelrhodopsin-2, we demonstrate efficacy through an optical model of an eye onto a biological retina. Significance. We demonstrate a fully functional 8100-pixel headset system including software/hardware which can operate on a standard consumer battery for periods exceeding a 24 h recharge cycle. The headset is capable of delivering enough light to stimulate the genetically modified retina cells and also keeping the amount of light below the regulation threshold for safety.
Highlights
According to the World Health Organization (WHO) in 2014, there are 39 million blind people worldwide [1]
We propose to illuminate for half that time, i.e. 20 ms as the channelrhodopsins operate more efficiently in short pulses [34]
Results from the image processing flow can be seen in figure 5. These illustrate the key steps in our processing functions, and perhaps more importantly to this paper, how the processed data would look on the optoelectronic display
Summary
According to the World Health Organization (WHO) in 2014, there are 39 million blind people worldwide [1]. The primary conditions [2] are cataracts, glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy and age-related macular degeneration. For retinitis pigmentosa (prevalence 1:3000) there is currently no treatment. Those afflicted progress from night blindness through tunnel vision and eventually complete visual loss around middle age. Retinal prosthetics [3] holds the potential to restore lost vision. It can primarily work with conditions such as retinitis pigmentosa where there is a remaining viable communication link between the retina and visual cortex
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