Google Glass Glare: disability glare produced by a head-mounted visual display

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Human-Computer Interaction
• Wearable Technology

Background:

• Head-mounted displays (HMDs) represent a rapidly growing sector of wearable technology.
• Google Glass is a prominent example of an HMD.
• Understanding the visual impact of HMDs is crucial for user safety and experience.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the potential for Google Glass displays to impair normal visual function.
• To quantify the extent of monocular disability glare induced by the HMD.

Main Methods:

• Contrast sensitivity was measured in two normally sighted participants (ages 32 and 52).
• Measurements were taken for each eye individually and in a binocular condition.
• Data were collected with and without the Google Glass device, across various stimulus luminance levels using a two-alternative forced-choice method.

Main Results:

• A significant reduction in contrast sensitivity (>0.5 log units) was observed in the right eye (exposed to the display).
• Disability glare increased with decreasing stimulus luminance, consistent with intraocular light scatter.
• While the left eye was unaffected, binocular contrast sensitivity decreased at lower luminances due to reduced binocular summation.

Conclusions:

• Head-mounted displays like Google Glass can cause substantial monocular disability glare, particularly in low-light conditions.
• These devices may also lead to a moderate reduction in binocular sensitivity by diminishing binocular summation benefits.