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How AR and VR Technology Are Reshaping Eye Care and Eyewear

young-man-with-virtual-reality-simulator 

Augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) have long been in the technology spotlight, and they're still advancing. Companies such as Apple and Microsoft and tech like cloud technology are leveraging their power, expanding their uses, and enhancing their features to make them more reliable and accessible.

These developments have proven helpful in the world of eyewear and eye care, transforming consumer, patient, and practitioner experiences. By harnessing AR and VR, people can enjoy accessible and comprehensive tech that can make caring for their eyes and going through daily life more convenient. Here's how AR and VR tech are reshaping eye care and eyewear.

Eyewear e-commerce

Online shopping has opened up another avenue for buying eyewear, increasing accessibility for consumers and expanding the reach of brands and retailers. However, the e-commerce space poses a challenge for eyewear, as consumers can't try on the products before purchasing. AR technology has helped address this dilemma, simulating the experience of looking for and trying different styles. AR can also be used for eyewear shopping in other ways. Customers can use LensCrafters' frame advisor tool when trying out glasses online. This feature takes a 3D scan of the person's face using their device's camera. Once measurements are taken, it will recommend face-flattering frame options from top designer brands like Ray-Ban, Burberry, and more. They can then "try on" the frames with the virtual try-on tool, which uses AR to overlay the virtual image of the glasses onto the person's face. They can move their head around and view it from various angles for a better look. This technology helps consumers make more informed choices and boosts purchase confidence, leading to a more satisfactory experience.

man-wearing-smart-glasses-touching-holographic-screen

AR smart glasses

Smart glasses have become the next frontier in wearable tech, allowing for greater immersion and integration of AR and VR in daily life. AR, in particular, has become a major technology featured in many smart glasses models. Digital displays and overlays of virtual images blend in with reality, making them practical tools that can be more accessible and practical than VR headsets since they don't create a full virtual environment. AR smart glasses like the XREAL One Pro glasses are only becoming more advanced and are fine-tuning AR capabilities to suit consumer needs. With AR glasses, wearers can access desktop-like displays anywhere and anytime, enhancing work efficiency and productivity. They can also hold video conferences without staying connected to a computer. Gamers can also enjoy immersive gaming sessions with the glasses. AR smart glasses have a variety of uses and will continue to advance as the tech improves.

Surgery recovery

VR technology creates an immersive digital environment with virtual scenes and objects, and these elements can play an important role in surgery recovery. The technology was used to evaluate its value in strabismus (eye misalignment) surgery recovery in children, with results published in the Indian Journal of Ophthalmology. The experiment revealed that those who underwent VR interventions experienced lower rates of eye position reversion, keeping the eyes positioned correctly post-surgery. Binocular vision also significantly improved in the training group that consistently used VR smart glasses or head-mount display equipment. This is likely due to the virtual environment, which stimulates the senses under immersive conditions and aids in recovery. VR may be instrumental in recovery interventions for other optical surgical procedures, improving cure rates.

person-wearing-virtual-reality-goggles-holding-transparent-mannequin 

Training programs

Technology has revolutionized training for ophthalmologists, offering new opportunities in diagnosing patients, treating eye conditions, and performing surgeries. VR is taking it a step further by allowing doctors to use virtual simulations to hone their skills and practice procedures, which they may not have had the opportunity to do so previously. One such case is the American Academy of Ophthalmology's partnership with FundamentalVR, a global leader in immersive surgical training. The VR program can aid in ophthalmic training, especially when dealing with limitations. VR can help diagnose and treat retinopathy of prematurity (ROP), a leading cause of preventable blindness in children. Training opportunities are often limited, so VR can expand the scope and offer safe and comprehensive education. This development is promising for enhancing eye care globally, creating more well-trained doctors equipped to diagnose and treat eye conditions. 

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Published Monday, February 03, 2025 12:05 PM by David Marshall
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