Vision loss has a significant impact on a person’s ability to engage with the world, something that becomes increasingly difficult as we age. Seniors deal with considerable visual demands (driving, communicating, reading) and reduced vision affects their quality of life, ability to enjoy activities, and age-in-place.

 

Based on long-standing lab work from our collaborators at ReberLab (Donald K Johnson Eye Institute, Krembil Research Institute, UHN) studying visual detection and attention, we designed audiovisual stimulation programs using Virtual Reality (VR) technology that improve visual processing and attention.

 

This program may be used to train and maintain visual perception in older adults to promote quality of life and prolong independence. This corresponds to a paradigm shift in how we envision health, now more holistically; and provide care, increasingly in communities and focused on prevention.
 

The Re:Garde system consists of a stand-alone Virtual Reality (VR)-headset, a set of visual training stimulations (Re:Vision), and two vision test programs (Re:ViewD and Re:ShapeD).