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Computational Modeling of Retinal Neurons for Visual Prosthesis Research - Fundamental Approaches

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Published on: June 21, 2022

Simulating prosthetic vision: I. Visual models of phosphenes.

Spencer C Chen¹, Gregg J Suaning, John W Morley

¹Graduate School of Biomedical Engineering, University of New South Wales, Kensington 2052, Australia. S.Chen@unsw.edu.au

Vision Research

|June 9, 2009

Summary

This review examines virtual reality simulations of prosthetic vision, comparing their phosphene rendering to patient experiences. A standardized framework is proposed to improve simulation accuracy for visual prosthesis research.

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Published on: April 24, 2017

Area of Science:

Biomedical Engineering
Neuroscience
Ophthalmology

Background:

Advancements in visual prostheses necessitate understanding prosthetic vision's perceptual and psychophysical aspects.
Prosthetic vision relies on phosphenes (light spots) to represent visual scenes.
Virtual reality (VR) simulations are used to study prosthetic vision in sighted individuals.

Purpose of the Study:

To review and compare VR simulations of prosthetic vision with actual patient-reported phosphene experiences.
To assess the visual rendering and apparatus of existing VR simulations.
To propose a framework for more realistic and comparable future simulations.

Main Methods:

Examination of published VR simulations of prosthetic vision.
Comparison of simulated phosphene characteristics with descriptions from human trials of visual prostheses.
Analysis of VR apparatus used in simulation studies.

Main Results:

Variability exists in how VR simulations depict phosphenes.
Discrepancies between simulated and reported phosphenes can impact study relevance.
Current simulations may not fully align with the lived experience of visual prosthesis recipients.

Conclusions:

Ensuring simulated phosphenes match patient reports is crucial for VR study validity.
A standardized simulation and reporting framework is needed.
Standardization will enhance realism and facilitate comparison of future prosthetic vision research.