Treyescan: A test to explore the compensatory eye movements of glaucoma patients

Why are we doing this study?

Mobility and the ability to drive a car are important topics for persons with glaucoma. Currently, the visual field criteria for driving are evaluated with the Esterman visual field test, during which the patient can only look straight ahead when lights are presented in different parts of the visual field. Head and eye movements are not permitted. Based on this test the visual field criteria for driving are evaluated for the patient. This test does not represent the natural driving situation well, because when driving a car people can make use of head and eye movements in order to evaluate the entire traffic situation.

What is the aim of the study? 

The aim of our research is to develop a test in which movements of eye and head are allowed whilst looking at scenes of traffic situations on a large screen. At the same time eye movements are measured with a head-mounted eye tracker, glasses with built in camera’s that register the eye movement pattern. In this way, we hope to get more insight in the compensatory viewing strategies of glaucoma patients.

How do we conduct this study? 

The Treyescan (Traffic Eye Scanning and Compensation Analyser) is being developed in collaboration with Royal Dutch Visio and the CBR (Dutch driving test organization). The test contains various scenes of traffic situations that have been recorded with a wide angle lens in Amsterdam. The scenes have been presented to a panel of experts to get an idea of which objects are relevant to include in the analysis. Using a self-developed analysis program, we can determine if participants have viewed these objects. This data can give us insight in the viewing strategies of glaucoma patients.

Before we administer the test in a group of glaucoma patients, we want to measure normal-sighted individuals in order to determine the validity of our setup and analysis program. Moreover, we can choose the best clips for the final test based on data of normal sighted participants.

If you wish to participate in the research, please contact Yasmin Faraji (y.faraji@amsterdamuc.nl)