In the UK almost 60 per cent of people wear glasses. Sight loss tends to become more common as we age, with over 1.2 million people living with visual impairments being around 75 or older and one in every two people aged 90 or over suffering from vision issues.
However, it’s not only the older generation who struggle with vision; over two million people are estimated to be living with lack of sight in the UK today, with one thing being certain – living with visual impairment can be incredibly challenging.
But, new technologies are emerging which are helping those affected maintain their independence and better deal with the demands of daily life. Agetech World focuses in on some of the latest innovations.
The OrCam MyEye Pro is a handy and lightweight gadget to help people with sight loss go about their daily lives. The wireless, wearable and portable device reads written information and relays it to the wearer through an earpiece, meaning trips to a restaurant, for example, no longer have to be a negative experience.
Not only is one-to-one training provided with each purchase, but the finger-sized appliance also includes facial, banknote and product recognition – users simply attach it to the side of their glasses through its magnet and let it do the talking though its built-in HD mini speaker or directly into OrCam Bluetooth Earphones – no internet connection required.
The innovative We Walk Smart Cane enhances the mobility of those who experience visual impairments to help them live a more independent life. It does this through its obstacle detection, which identifies any objects that are at the user’s chest level – an important feature during times of social distancing.
The Smart Cane also allows enables users to gain better access to amenities such as shops, restaurants, cafes and even has information on bus timetables by helping to guide the customer to the locations, which can be personalised through the handy We Walk app.
The device also includes voice activated technology and a screen which is editable to the needs of the user based on text size, screen colour and font, making it easier than ever for the visually impaired to be more independent when leaving the home.
The eSight glasses are described as a ‘life changing device for people with low vision’ – and it’s easy to understand why.
eSight can be used by people who suffer from cataracts, diabetic retinopathy, macular degeneration, ocular albinism and retinitis pigmentosa to help them build a better picture of their surroundings.
But how? Well, the electronic device stimulates nerve impulses from the remaining cells in the eye’s retina that are responsible for converting light into signals that are sent to the brain.
Using a camera, algorithms and high-resolution screens, the technology maximises visual information provided to the brain to compensate for gaps in the user’s field of vision – pretty impressive, right?
So not only does the electronic eyewear allow the user to see the faces of loved ones and enjoy hobbies like watching TV, reading and sport – but it enables the wearer to go about normal activities like cooking, shopping and travelling.
Next up, we have IrisVision with its glasses technology which enhances vision, enables users to stay connected and provides customers with training. Similar to the eSight glasses, the eyewear uses advanced technology to enable the wearer to enhance their independent daily living.
The headset supplies the user with specific modes to optimise the device for watching television, offers high-definition and auto focus with 14X magnification for distances and a bar magnifier for reading up close.
IrisVision‘s award-winning software also features voice controls, making it simple for the user to active the device’s different functions like reading mode, brightness options and zoom.
Each device comes with unlimited data and the option to connect to the Wi-Fi to enable the wearer to seek support from the IrisVision team whenever required.
Finally, we have the Wayband – a watch that helps the visually impaired get to their destination using only vibrations.
Whether going on a walk or a daily joy, the SmartWatch emits patterns of vibrations along the route to help them explore both new and old environments with confidence.
The device works by only vibrating when the user isn’t heading in the right direction. It maps out a corridor and if the user steps outside, a signal is sent to indicate they have gone off course.
The technology connects to a smartphone and uses data from GPS, magnetometer and compass senses to assist its user to navigate surroundings using the wrist signals – this means the communication isn’t compromised by surrounding noise so the user can still listen for nearby pedestrians and vehicles.