Human Factor and Usability Testing of a Binocular Optical Coherence Tomography System

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Medical Technology
• Usability Engineering

Background:

• Automated eye examination systems aim to improve efficiency and accessibility in clinical settings.
• Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is a key imaging modality in ophthalmology.
• Usability testing is crucial for the successful clinical integration of new medical devices, especially for diverse patient populations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the usability of a novel binocular optical coherence tomography (OCT) prototype.
• To assess the potential for automated eye examinations in a clinical environment.
• To identify user errors and subjective feedback, particularly from elderly and visually impaired individuals.

Main Methods:

• Usability testing was conducted with 45 participants with chronic eye disease and 15 healthy controls.
• The prototype performed automated 'whole-eye' OCT, ocular motility, visual acuity, perimetry, and pupillometry.
• Post-examination interviews gathered subjective feedback on ease of use and appeal.

Main Results:

• All participants successfully completed the automated eye examination without assistance.
• A high percentage of users (81% with eye disease, 79% healthy) found the prototype easier to use than smartphones.
• 86% of participants considered the device appealing for clinical use, with no significant time difference between groups.

Conclusions:

• The developed binocular OCT system is usable and can be administered in an automated fashion.
• This technology shows potential to enhance the efficiency and quality of comprehensive eye examinations.
• Further development is guided by identified areas for improvement to facilitate clinical translation.