QD Laser Inc of Kanagawa Japan and the Institute for Nano Quantum Information Electronics (NanoQuine) at the University of Tokyo have unveiled the prototype of their retina imaging laser eyewear for low-vision care. The plan is to commercialize the low-vision oriented retina imaging laser eyewear by March 2016.
The prototype is to be exhibited in the 30th Annual International Technology and Persons with Disabilities Conference in San Diego, CA, USA (4-6 March 2015).
The laser eyewear has a miniature laser projector on the frame of the glasses, which provides the wearer with digital image information using the retina as a screen. Characteristics, which not achieved by other devices using liquid-crystal displays (LCDs) it is claimed, are as follows:
Wide viewing with a small device (owing to the projection principle). High brightness, high color reproducibility and energy reduction (owing to semiconductor lasers as RGB light sources). Image viewing at any position of the retina (due to the laser scanning system's wide horizontal viewing angle of 60°). Focus-free viewing (Maxwell view optics) - meaning that picture clarity is independent of the individual's visual power (since the image is projected onto the retina after converging the light beam into the observer's pupil. All optics to be installed inside the glasses (owing to the 'focus free' characteristics), so the glasses appear to be normal (enabling a natural fit and fashionable appearance).
The prototype for low-vision care is compact retina imaging laser eyewear with the following functions (all useful for low vision care):
Imaging digital information of characters and pictures from digital devices such as personal computers. A camera module sited in the center of the frame of the glasses. Left, right and binocular vision provided by both-side optics. Adjustment of the laser light intensity. Multi-step fitting for each individual. Shading with a cover on the frame.
In collaboration with departments of ophthalmology in medical universities and with educational institutions in Japan, QD Laser and University of Tokyo are beginning verification testing of the equipment as low-vision aids for a variety of eye diseases. Based on test results that are expected to confirm the benefits and safety of the system (i.e. Class 1 laser power, safe under all conditions of normal use, based on JIS/IEC safety standards), the team plans to complete the mass-production prototype by September and to release the commercial product (complete with comfortable hardware, an attractive design and a flexible user interface) by March 2016.
By further miniaturizing, optimizing the shape of optics, reducing the energy consumption and developing wireless technologies, QD Laser plans to open up a new medical device market, with support tools in the work place and consumer-oriented wireless smart glasses, by the end of 2017.
