Page 19 - Layout 1

Department of Engineering, ICT and Technologies for Energy and Transport Patent Title Method for correcting and/or reducing visual defects due to a degenerative disease of the retina and related system. Ref. CNR 10446 Assignee (s): CNR CNR Institute: ICAR Main Inventor: Carmelo Lodato Countries: IT, PCT Priority date: 27/04/2016 Abstract The present invention refers to a method and related system for correcting or reducing the visual defects caused by degenerative diseases of the retina such as macular degenerations when the patient watches a video. Even though only one eye of an individual is affected by the disease, the fusion process operated by the visual cortex could result in a significantly altered perception and sometimes could cause dynamic distortion effects. Often the patient has to watch keeping closed the eye affected by the disease, with considerable discomfort. The method allows to restore a proper binocular vision when the retinal degeneration does not cause loss of information; It significantly improves the binocular vision even if the disease causes loss of information in non- corresponding retinal points. Background Degenerative diseases of the retina are widespread and can cause highly disabling visual impairments especially in the binocular vision and when the damage regards the macula. The invention can significantly improve the quality of life, especially for older people for whom also a partial recovery of some activities, such as reading, is of utmost importance. The problem has significant impact in terms of social costs especially for the loss of productivity of the people suffering from the disorder. Technology According to embodiments of the invention the system could include various video stream source devices such as video camera, computer, tv tuner, and display devices such as for example computer monitor, television, video projector. The method uses techniques for image processing, tracking and 3D visualization. Advantages and Applications The method is noninvasive and not particularly expensive; It allows the correct binocular vision even if defects are localized in corresponding retinal points and do not cause loss of information; When a loss of information occurs and the defects are localized in non corresponding retinal points, the method enables significant improvement to the binocular vision. Development stage It is not provided a prototype yet. It was carried out a test on the effectiveness of an optical blur filter in an elderly patient suffering from a retinal epitheliopathy in the better visual acuity’s eye, causing distortions and loss of information. The test experienced the ability of the patient to read well in binocular vision, not longer 9 perceiving the dynamic distortion effects which were present without the filter.