A Novel and Low-Cost Visual Aid for Retinitis Pigmentosa Patients to Improve Peripheral Vision Loss

Abstract

Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) is a genetic eye disorder that affects 1 in 3000-8000 people worldwide and causes the deterioration of the light-sensitive pigmented layer of the eye. Typical symptoms include night blindness and subsequently decreasing visual fields. Unfortunately, the specific cause of RP is not known and there is no cure. The disease is currently managed by expensive visual aids ranging from $3000 to $6000. This creates a need to develop affordable glasses for the common individual. In this study, 3D printed glasses were developed that enhanced the peripheral vision of the mocking RP patient (student researcher) utilizing external smartphone wide-angle lenses. To test different levels of tunnel vision, 3D printed circular discs with hole sizes of 1 mm, 3 mm, 5 mm, 7 mm, and 9 mm were created representing the varying severity of vision loss in RP patients. These discs were inserted in the frames of 3D printed glasses with and without wide-angle lenses. The student researcher validated these glasses on a bullseye model and observed a doubling in the visual field. Three replication data was collected comparing normal vision and different levels of RP (using tunnel vision discs) with and without the wide-angle lens glasses. Regression analysis of data generated from a Monte Carlo Simulation and T-Test procedure further confirmed a statistically significant increase in the visual field utilizing wide-angle lens glasses. Thus, a cost-effective visual aid ($20) was developed by the student researcher to improve peripheral vision and break socio-economic barriers for RP patients.