Science Behind OrCam

Ophthalmology Retina

This article discusses a study on the Argus II Retinal Prosthesis System, a product of Second Sight Medical Products, which is an epiretinal device used for implantation in patients suffering from end-stage retinitis pigmentosa (RP). The Argus II is comprised of a 60-electrode epiretinal array, a video camera, a processing unit worn on the patient's belt, and a transmitter attached to a pair of eyeglasses.

Patients using the device underwent surgery for implantation followed by an extensive postoperative programming and vision rehabilitation protocol. This study found that following this rehabilitation protocol was crucial for the successful use of the device. After implantation of the device, patients showed improvement in orientation and mobility, including tasks such as identifying the location of large objects and sorting laundry.

The study noted that the Argus II was intended to be used in conjunction with mobility or other low vision aids the patients were previously accustomed to using.

Scientific Online Resource System - "Advancements in Innovative Technologies for Improving Low Vision"

This study looked into how a device called OrCam MyEye 2.0 helps people with serious eye problems. They focused on people in the later stages of these eye problems, but the results might not be the same for everyone.

The study had some limitations. It was done for a short time, and the people might have talked about the device in a way that makes it seem better than it really is. Also, when people know they're being watched, they might react more positively.

The researchers asked the people questions and checked their eyesight. They used the OrCam device in the same way at two different places.

The results were a bit mixed. Reading got better, as people were able to see better and read more. But there wasn't a clear improvement in how they felt emotionally. This might be because the group of people studied was small, so they couldn't study things in more detail.

Sage Journals - Journal of Visual Impairment & Blindness

Researchers looked into two advanced tools that use artificial intelligence to help people with vision problems. They studied how well Orcam MyEye and Seeing AI work. They checked how good they are at reading different types of text out loud and how easy they are for people to use. Seven people with vision impairments joined the study. They tried out the tools with various types of text and different situations. The results were impressive: both tools were really accurate, getting over 95% of the text right, even when the text was very small. People could read tiny text as small as 0.8mm with these tools. What's cool is that people felt confident using both Orcam MyEye and Seeing AI. They finished reading tasks at similar speeds with both tools. This shows that both tools are equally useful for people with vision problems, and it's important for experts to think about people's preferences and what they're used to when suggesting which tool to use.

IOVS - "Effectiveness and User Satisfaction of Orcam MyEye Device in Patients with Visual Impairment"

The study "Success of Orcam MyEye in Patients with Visual Impairment" evaluated the effectiveness of the Orcam device for visually impaired individuals. A survey was done with 14 patients from Chicago Lighthouse and Spectrios Institute who bought the OrCam. OrCam MyEye uses a camera and optical recognition to read text, recognize faces, and identify products, helping visually impaired people in daily tasks. Among the participants, 12 used OrCam MyEye mainly for reading, with a 3.8 out of 5 satisfaction score. About 75% (9 individuals) were somewhat or highly satisfied with OrCam MyEye's reading. 55.5% used facial recognition, and 44.4% used product identification. All had used other assistive tech before. 58% relied only on tech, while 42% used both tech and optical devices before OrCam MyEye. 83% (10 subjects) said OrCam MyEye let them do tasks they couldn't before. Continuous text reading was most popular. The study shows OrCam MyEye can help various patients, but users may need some tech knowledge to adapt.

IOVS - "Efficacy of the OrCam Device in Individuals with Inherited Retinal Dystrophies: A Study on Near Vision and Quality of Life"

This study investigates the impact of the OrCam device on individuals affected by inherited retinal dystrophies, revealing significant improvements in near vision and overall quality of life. Mounted on eyeglasses, the device employs auditory feedback to translate visual information. A cohort of 20 patients diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosa or cone-rod dystrophies participated in the study. While no statistically significant changes were observed in priority scores, the OrCam Function Questionnaire demonstrated enhanced performance in vision-related tasks. The results indicate the promising potential of the OrCam device for individuals with inherited retinal dystrophies, particularly in the domain of reading, with further advancements holding the prospect of even greater benefits.

Springer - "Usability and Satisfaction Assessment of the ORCAM MyEye Device among Visually Impaired Individuals: A Multicenter Study"

The study assessed OrCam MyEye's usefulness and user satisfaction among visually impaired people. This multi-center study involved 100 participants from five vision rehab centers. They did tasks like reading and face recognition with and without OrCam. After using OrCam, they filled out surveys: System Usability Scale (SUS), Patient’s Global Impression of Change (PGIC), Quebec User Evaluation of Satisfaction with Assistive Technology (QUEST 2.0), and Psychosocial Impact of Assistive Devices Scale (PIADS). Results showed OrCam improved daily tasks, especially reading and face recognition. Age and visual field defect explained 89% of effectiveness differences. Around 45% rated OrCam positively (SUS), PGIC showed slight improvement (average score 4.2), and 58% found it easy to use (QUEST 2.0). PIADS showed a positive impact on daily tasks. In conclusion, OrCam MyEye significantly helps visually impaired people do daily tasks on their own.

Neurology - Assessing the Impact of the OrCam Read Device on Vision-Related Quality of Life in Patients with Primary Brain Tumors and Low Vision

This study checked how the OrCam Read device affects the quality of life for people with brain tumors and vision problems. The OrCam Read can read from screens and papers. They studied 15 people for a month, training them to use the device. They called them weekly and did surveys. They wanted to see if the device fits their lives, if their daily tasks improved, and if they liked it.

From the first patient, they saw better daily tasks and happiness with the device. The study says the OrCam Read can likely help brain tumor patients with vision problems do more and feel better. But, more research with more people is needed to be sure.

Wiley Online Library - "Assistive Techniques for Individuals with Visual Impairments: Enhancing Accessibility and Learning Experience"

The study titled "Use of Assistive Techniques for the Visually Impaired People" discusses various assistive techniques and technologies used by visually impaired individuals. One popular method of information transfer for the blind is Braille, with different variations such as American Literary Braille, British Braille, and computer Braille. The conventional method of Braille writing is through a slate and stylus, but other options like Braille writers, Braille computer software, and RFID-based Braille character identification have been developed.

The study also mentions the creation of smart education solutions for visually impaired individuals, including devices such as speech synthesizers, Braille note-taking tools, typing instruction software, and educational chatbots. These technologies aim to enhance the learning experience for visually impaired individuals.

Overall, the study emphasizes the importance of assistive techniques and technologies in improving accessibility and knowledge acquisition for the visually impaired.

MDPI - "Application of Design for Six Sigma Methodology in Developing a User-Centric Smart Cane for Visually Impaired Individuals"

This study applies the Design for Six Sigma (DFSS) Methodology in the field of medical engineering. The goal is to extend the usage potential of a device by adding water-resistant ultrasonic sensors that work effectively in rainy and icy weather conditions. The authors of the study contributed to various aspects, including conceptualization, methodology, software development, validation, formal analysis, and writing. The study did not receive external funding and did not require ethical review or informed consent. The authors have declared no conflicts of interest. The study is published in the journal Inventions.

ESPE - "Design and Implementation of AI-Powered Smart Glasses as an Assistive Tool for Reading and Environment Perception in Visually Impaired Individuals

This study aims to develop a portable device that serves as an audible text reader for individuals with visual impairments. The device utilizes the Google Cloud Vision API and employs object recognition through the implementation and configuration of the MobileNet V3 neural network. By incorporating artificial intelligence algorithms, the device assists with reading and recognizing the surrounding environment. It aims to provide autonomy to individuals with visual impairments by allowing them to listen to the text of various objects in different scenes. The study found that the device has a 60.67% effectiveness in detecting objects, making it suitable for individuals with mild, moderate, and severe visual impairments. Overall, this device aims to improve the quality of life for people with visual impairments by enhancing their autonomy and independence.