Current Assistive Devices Usage and Recommendations for a Future Artificial Vision Prosthesis among Patients with Severe Visual Impairment Due to Inherited Retinal Diseases

Patients with inherited retinal diseases (IRDs) utilize various adaptive techniques and devices designed to assist them activities of daily living (ADLs). The purpose this study was assess the assistive used by patients IRDs, difficulties they face despite these devices, their recommendations for a future visual prosthesis. In collaboration blind patients, an online survey developed administered adults IRDs acuities 20/400 no light perception in better-seeing eye. We analyzed data from 121 respondents (aged 18 >80 years). Five were Argus II prosthesis recipients. most commonly aids cellular phones/tablets reading (63.6%) as well sighted guide (75.0%) cane (71.4%) mobility. Despite current participants reported continued difficulty ADLs. Improved navigation, reading, facial recognition ranked desirable features prostheses. recipients suggested technology improved ability recognize objects obstacles, detect movement, cut out busy backgrounds. These insights are valuable shaping design prosthetic tailored needs IRD patients.