Welcomed as revolutionary a few years back, augmented reality has, however, known some ups and downs in terms of its application in the medical world. It’s considered one of the most promising types of digital technology, especially in the area of assistance to people affected by visual impairment. Here’s an overview of innovations under development in the sector.

What is augmented reality?

Augmented reality consists in improving the environment that surrounds us. This technology offers a different image of the real world by superimposing digital information over the existing physical environment. An entirely immersive process, augmented reality develops around a VR headset which covers the eyes and blocks out the outside world.

Over the years, augmented reality has led to other forms of technology such as virtual reality; which enables the creation of a world in 3D, completely detaching the user from reality, or mixed reality; which combines the two processes.

Today, augmented reality has the potential to become a real driving force for the future of medicine and the everyday lives of patients.

Oculenz: hope for patients suffering from central vision loss

Often patients have a lot of difficulty describing their symptoms to the different doctors in charge of their diagnosis, especially in the field of ophthalmology. It’s here that augmented reality comes into play, by teaching patients to express themselves more clearly.

The Oculenz application is a perfect example of this. It’s intended for people suffering from central vision loss (diabetic macular edema, AMD, Stargardt disease…) as it shows the stimulation of the user’s vision. By repeating this experience over the long term, patients can see the positive effects on their lifestyle and health, and feel motivated to change. As of 2022, the Oculenz app isn’t yet on the market.

Augmented reality clearly has its place in the improvement of patient healthcare and comfort, thanks to the development of increasingly advanced technology.