Innovative Mixed Reality Glasses Offer Hope for Partial Vision Loss Patients

Recent advancements in mixed reality technology are providing new hope for individuals with partial vision loss, particularly those affected by stroke or brain injury. Researchers from the University of Alberta have developed specialized glasses that can partially restore the visual field by processing real-time environmental video and displaying it within the user's unaffected vision. This pioneering system uses Microsoft HoloLens 2 mixed reality glasses, equipped with custom software that compresses and superimposes the surrounding visual environment into the remaining functional field of vision.

One of the patients, Glenn Calverley, experienced a stroke that initially presented as a severe headache, but soon led to significant vision impairment, including the inability to see colors clearly and missing parts of his peripheral vision. Like many stroke survivors, he suffers from partial hemianopsia — a condition where half of the visual field is lost on both sides because of brain pathway damage rather than eye damage.

Traditional treatments for visual field loss, such as prisms and eye movement exercises, have had limited success and often restrict patients' ability to perform daily activities safely. The innovative software developed by the research team offers a new approach by creating a 'picture-in-picture' view of the environment, effectively giving users a perception of their entire surroundings. During controlled testing, patients using the glasses were able to navigate obstacle courses with significantly fewer collisions, suggesting the technology’s potential to enhance safety and independence.

This device is not virtual reality but mixed reality, allowing users to see through the glasses while viewing superimposed visual cues. The software is open-source, encouraging further customization and development by programmers and medical practitioners. Although the prototype is currently compatible with the roughly $6,000 Microsoft HoloLens 2, the team hopes to refine the technology further.

Lead researcher Edsel Ing highlights the potential of this technology to transform lives — especially by helping patients with visual field deficits regain a sense of visual fullness. As more research is conducted, the team plans to address other visual issues such as double vision and nystagmus, aiming to improve the quality of life for those affected by brain injuries.

This innovative approach underscores the importance of ongoing collaboration between technology developers and medical professionals to develop solutions that significantly improve patient outcomes. Source: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-05-reality-glasses-world-people-partial.html