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The impact of the OrCam device on the quality of life in patients with inherited retinal dystrophies

Author: Thanh Nguyen (Netherlands)

Co-authors: Jan Koopman, Maria M. van Genderen, Henk L.M. Stam, Camiel J.F. Boon

Purpose

The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of the OrCam MyEye visual aid on the quality of life in patients with inherited retinal dystrophies (IRD). The OrCam is a portable visual aid, which is mounted to the frame of eyeglasses, that translates visual information to auditive feedback (e.g. text-to-speech, barcode and facial recognition).

Setting/Venue

An observational study performed at two Dutch rehabilitation centers from 15 October 2019 to 7 August 2020.

Methods

This prospective, observational study included 20 patients with low vision (BCVA< 20/200 Snellen) due to retinitis pigmentosa (n = 9; 45%) or cone-rod dystrophies (n = 11; 55%). After receiving extensive instructions on the OrCam, patients tested the OrCam for ± 5 weeks. Questionnaires were administered before and after OrCam testing, which included the Dutch version of the NEI-VFQ-25, a modified version of the Dutch Activity Inventory (D-AI), and the OrCam Function Questionnaire (OFQ).

Results

At final visit, a significant improvement in the ‘near vision’ subscale of the NEI-VFQ-25 was observed (p < 0.001), which did not differ between retinitis pigmentosa or cone-rod dystrophy patients (p = 0.446). No significant changes were seen in the priority scores of the different goals of the D-AI. The OFQ showed an overall improvement in performing vision-related tasks (p < 0.001), although patients reported more difficulty in using the OrCam during lower light situations.

Conlusions

The OrCam MyEye is a promising low vision aid in patients with IRD that have rehabilitation needs in the reading domain. Other functionalities of the OrCam, in the current state, were reported to be less effective, suggesting that these are areas for potential improvement.

Financial Disclosure

No financial disclosures

Comments

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