Portable vision reading device shows promise for low vision after brain injury
Reviewed by Claire Howard

The authors report a small sample cohort study evaluating the impact of a portable vision reading device (OrCam Read) on vision-related quality-of-life and independent functional status in patients with low vision due to stroke or brain tumours. Six patients with poor visual acuity or visual field defects due to a stroke or a brain tumour were enrolled. Participants were trained to use OrCam Read and given a device on loan for a one-month time period. Assessments including daily function tests, the National Eye Institute Visual Function Questionnaire-25, and the 10-item neuro-ophthalmic supplement. Weekly telephone calls were conducted to determine participants experiences using the device. The main outcome measures were the patient satisfaction with OrCam and the mean assessment scores between enrolment and final visits. The authors report that using the OrCam significantly improved ability to complete daily tasks and participants reported good satisfaction with the device. The results also show non-significant improvement with distant activities, dependency, and role difficulties. The authors suggest that these findings demonstrate the feasibility of studying vision-related quality-of-life using a portable vision device in this patient population. This work would need a significantly larger sample size for valid reporting, as well as a control group to compare outcomes against those who do not perform the targeted training.

A feasibility study on a portable vision device for patients with stroke and brain tumours.
Nisanova A, Barrios L, Chokshi T, et al.
NEURO-OPHTHALMOLOGY
2024;48(1):3–12.