The OxSight Onyx is a camera system worn like spectacles that can capture the image being viewed in electronic form and then adapt it for easier viewing and interpretation. I was lucky enough to try out a prototype at the start of this year (figure 1) and was impressed by the way the unit could magnify an image by a simple press of a button, and also how it could be adapted to include a wide range of further functions, including facial (figure 2) and object recognition, text reading and bar code interpretation. As a prototype, my main concerns were about comfort and stability, but these have been addressed in the unit that is now commercially available (figure 3).
Figure 2
The Onyx
The glasses operate by capturing images from a centrally positioned camera and displaying them on bright, colour-rich, 70º wide OLED screens. The user can pause and magnify images up to eight times, and use computer vision detectors to find and highlight faces and text. The Onyx is specifically designed for those with central vision loss. For a recent study, volunteers from the Macular Society were assessed on their ability to perform three core tasks; reading, face perception and object identification.
Figure 3
The key findings from the study were:
- Reading ability was significantly improved for 86% of participants
- Facial recognition and object identification was significantly improved for three out of four participants
- The greatest improvements were experienced by those with the lowest visual acuity
Most of the analysis took place inside participants’ homes in a socially-distanced setting for around two hours. An even split of male and female volunteers were involved, with an average age of 71. Over two thirds of individuals (68%) reported having AMD (wet and dry combined). A select group retained the Onyx device for up to five days to explore how it helped with everyday life.
Researchers found that the average visual acuity of the group was 1.2 (logRAD), with a baseline of extreme sight loss. Data from the trial indicate that those with lower visual acuity scores experienced the most benefit from reading with the OxSight Onyx (see figure 4).
Figure 4
Viewpoint
Dr Michael Crossland commented on the results. ‘I’m very excited about the OxSight Onyx low vision device. Assistive technology is already helping many of our patients with moderate to severe visual impairment, but current devices are limited by their weight, cosmetic appearance, non-intuitive controls, and lack of versatility. For example, some only work for one task, and others cannot be worn while walking.’
‘The OxSight Onyx device has addressed many of these concerns and has clearly been designed with visually impaired people in mind. I think it will provide a more affordable, more versatile, more lightweight solution for many of the people I see with visual impairment, and will enable more people to maintain independence, to study, to work, and to avoid social isolation.’
- Look out for a full review of the OxSight Onyx in a future issue
- To find out more about OxSight Onyx and partner opportunities, register interest online at https://oxsightglobal.com