Face and Available Chair Detection and Localization With a Second-Generation (44-Channel) Suprachoroidal Retinal...

To compare accuracy of the comprehensive vision processing (VP) algorithm (Lanczos2 [L2]) with the novel VP algorithms, face detection (FaD) and available chair detection (ChD) methods in recipients of the second-generation suprachoroidal retinal prosthesis.

Four suprachoroidal retinal prosthesis recipients (#NCT05158049) were acclimatized to new VP methods (FaD and ChD) with L2 used as control. For face localization, one or two mannequins (white/black) were forward or backward facing in three positions in a room with a white backdrop. Participants were asked to detect the number of mannequins and faces present and point to the forward-facing mannequin. For available chair localization, two mannequins (white/black) were seated in two of three chairs (white/black). Participants were asked to detect and navigate to the available chair.

FaD performed significantly better than L2 for correct face detection (FaD) (81.25 ± 10.21%; L2 32.81 ± 5.98%; P = 0.029) and for face localization (FaD, 81.25 ± 10.21%; L2, 26.56 ± 10.67%; P = 0.029). The accuracy of mannequin detection was equivalent between FaD (47.22 ± 5.56%) and L2 (52.78 ± 13.98%) with one mannequin (P = 0.457), and with two mannequins present (FaD, 21.43 ± 18.44%; L2. 3.57 ± 7.14%; P = 0.257). The ChD VP method (88.89 ± 12.00% correct) performed significantly better than L2 (19.44 ± 13.22%) for localizing available chairs (P = 0.029).

FaD and ChD VP methods performed better than L2 for the purpose of localizing faces and available chairs, respectively.

New VP algorithms can improve the localization of specific object types while using the second-generation suprachoroidal retinal prosthesis.