Design of 45° periscopic visual field expansion device for peripheral field loss

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Optical Engineering
• Biomedical Devices

Background:

• Visual field loss impairs patient mobility, increasing collision risks.
• Current Fresnel prisms offer limited visual field expansion (approx. 30°) and eye scanning range (5°).
• Insufficient visual field recovery necessitates advanced optical solutions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To design and optimize a novel, higher-power prism-like device for visual field expansion.
• To enhance visual field recovery for patients with visual field loss.
• To improve mobility and reduce collision risks in affected individuals.

Main Methods:

• Proposed a novel optical device featuring a cascaded structure of mirror pairs.
• Incorporated high refractive index materials within the device.
• Utilized optical ray tracing and photorealistic simulations for verification and optimization.

Main Results:

• The novel device demonstrated enhanced visual field expansion.
• Achieved an expanded visual field of up to 45° in simulations.
• Verified the effectiveness of the cascaded mirror pair design with high refractive index materials.

Conclusions:

• The proposed prism-like device offers significantly greater visual field expansion than current clinical options.
• This innovation holds potential for improving mobility and safety for patients with visual field loss.
• Further development could lead to more effective visual aids for low vision rehabilitation.