The goal of this work is to develop an explanatory and predictive model of eye movement planning in normal and low vision that can be used to objectively design and measure the effectiveness of low vision rehabilitation. In the previous project period, we developed a quantitative measure of eye movement efficiency and found that inefficiencies among maculopathy patients could not be explained simply by the extent of their central field loss. Thus, there must be additional factors that impair the eye movement strategies in these patients. In this proposal, we further develop our computational model to predict human saccade behavior in addition to fixation placement. The first two aims will empirically measure how and whether motor error limits saccade amplitude and direction.
The third aim seeks to improve upon previous endeavors to establish a natural causal link between eye movement generation and stimulus uncertainty.
The final aim applies the revised model to probe a possible source of eye movement inefficiency in maculopathy patients: we test the hypothesis that patients retain a """"""""normal"""""""" internal template of their vision instead of a veridical representation of their central field loss. This hypothesis is consistent with clinical observations that patients'typically begin complaining about their vision only when bilateral scotomas exceed 10deg, and that teaching """"""""scotoma awareness"""""""" can improve functional outcome. Our computational model will continue to provide a conceptual framework for challenging clinical hypotheses, with the eventual goal of transforming low vision rehabilitation practice into rehabilitation science.

Public Health Relevance

Age-related macular degeneration is a significant public health issue - it is the leading cause of reduced visual function in elders that cannot be corrected optically. This proposal seeks to quantitatively predict eye movement behavior in maculopathy patients. We will specifically test the clinical observation that scotoma awareness may increase eye movement efficiency and improve task performance. The outcome of this work will be a computational model of eye movements that can be used to inform the design and evaluation of low vision rehabilitation methods.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Eye Institute (NEI)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01EY018004-05
Application #
8050065
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZRG1-ETTN-E (92))
Program Officer
Wiggs, Cheri
Project Start
2006-09-01
Project End
2013-03-31
Budget Start
2011-04-01
Budget End
2012-03-31
Support Year
5
Fiscal Year
2011
Total Cost
$358,698
Indirect Cost
Name
Smith-Kettlewell Eye Research Institute
Department
Type
DUNS #
073121105
City
San Francisco
State
CA
Country
United States
Zip Code
94115
Ghahghaei, Saeideh; Walker, Laura (2016) The crowding factor method applied to parafoveal vision. J Vis 16:30