Understanding the Impact of Glaucoma Severities Through Virtual Reality Simulations
MCML Authors
Jesse Grootjen
Abstract
Jesse Grootjen
Abstract
Glaucoma is a visual impairment that presents a significant global challenge due to limited access to routine screenings. In this study, we explore glaucoma by creating a virtual reality (VR) simulation of peripheral vision loss. Initial interviews (N=3) indicated that traditional darker peripheral visualizations do not accurately represent the experiences of individuals with glaucoma. To address this, we developed an innovative visualization that simulates varying severities of glaucoma, aligning more closely with the descriptions provided by interviewees. In a subsequent user study (N=24), we examined the impact of different glaucoma severities using our visualization in high-fidelity VR environments, which helped maintain contextual cues. Specifically, we analyzed how glaucoma affects visual search tasks and investigated correlations between eye movement patterns and the severity of the simulated condition. Our results revealed significant differences in both eye movement metrics and task performance. These findings provide a foundation for future simulation studies on glaucoma.
inproceedings
MuC 2025
Mensch und Computer. Darmstadt, Germany, Aug 31-Sep 03, 2025.Authors
J. W. Grootjen • S. N. R. Yadla • S. MayerLinks
DOIResearch Area
BibTeXKey: GYM25