Ocutech Announces Release of SideSight Ultrasonic Sensor Device for Homonymous Hemianopia
Ocutech announced the limited first release of its new ultrasonic sensor device, the SideSight. Developed in collaboration with experts in electrical, software, and mechanical engineering, Ocutech says the SideSight is designed to assist individuals who have experienced loss of side vision, a condition known as homonymous hemianopia (HH), by helping them navigate safely without fear of bumping into obstacles or being startled by people entering their blind spots. The device is set to begin clinical testing in the fourth quarter of 2024.
Homonymous hemianopia (HH) affects an estimated 500,000 to 1 million people in the US and is most commonly caused by strokes. However, it can also result from head trauma, brain tumors, and developmental disorders. Unlike loss of vision in one eye, HH involves the loss of vision on the same side in both eyes, depending on which half of the brain is impaired. This condition significantly impacts visual functioning, mobility, and independence, often more so than the loss of one eye. Studies have shown that individuals with hemianopic visual field defects face an increased risk of accidents, including walking into objects, tripping, falling, and experiencing feelings of panic in crowded or unfamiliar environments. Many with HH report concerns about their ability to move independently, highlighting the profound impact this condition has on daily living and mobility.
Traditional eyeglass solutions for HH involve the use of prisms, which either shift the visual image to help the individual scan their non-seeing field or create a secondary image to raise awareness of obstacles. However, these methods can be challenging to adapt to, requiring significant training, practice, and cognitive effort, according to Ocutech.
The SideSight device, led by Ocutech’s co-founder and president, Henry Greene, OD, FAAO, offers a modern, user-friendly alternative. SideSight monitors a 45-degree field of view both horizontally and vertically on the non-seeing side, an area most prone to collisions for those with HH.
“After two years in development and testing, we are very pleased with the response from our demonstrations to both patients and vision rehabilitation specialists regarding its performance and potential value,” said Dr. Greene. “The SideSight will monitor the 45-degree field of view both horizontally and vertically on the non-seeing side. This is the area of the visual field that studies have shown is the most prone to collisions for individuals with HH.”
Similar to the blind-spot monitor on modern vehicles, SideSight is designed to be intuitive and easy to use, with a minimal learning curve. The device, weighing just 0.6 ounces (20 grams) and roughly the size of a pinky finger, attaches to conventional eyeglasses using a clip-on or magnetic attachment. It features a vibration alert system that notifies the wearer of potential collisions, encouraging them to look into their non-seeing field, but without repeating the same warning multiple times. The device operates for 12 hours on a rechargeable battery, with a power button as the only user control.
Ocutech plans for a limited availability of the FDA and CE registered SideSight in mid-2024.