Virtual reality and fall prevention in glaucoma patients
A multidisciplinary team of researchers at the University of San Diego (California) conducted a study to develop a new paradigm for measuring balance control in glaucoma patients, based on a test of postural reactivity to dynamic visual stimuli produced through a virtual environment.
The primary goal is to reduce the number of falls, especially of older adults with chronic eye diseases, as they can become the cause of fatal injuries.
The researchers recruited 42 patients with open-angle glaucoma and compared them with 38 healthy subjects. All participants were made to wear stereoscopic goggles that could virtually simulate static and dynamic visual stimuli while the test persons stood on a "force platform." The platform recorded the moments of twisting around the centre of pressure of the foot when the glasses simulated actions such as walking through a tunnel or standing on a rotating floor. Postural stability was also tested in a completely dark environment to verify somatosensory and vestibular contributions to postural control.
The platform also recorded data on phases in which the participants did not wear glasses or were not subjected to visual stimulation.
The researchers found that during the perception of dynamic virtual stimuli, the movements to regain balance were more pronounced by 30-40% in glaucoma patients than in healthy subjects: furthermore, the latter regained balance more quickly.
The authors hypothesised that this delay could be attributed to the loss of retinal ganglion cells in glaucoma, which causes slowed visual processing and impaired motion perception.
The study also confirmed that the degree of loss of balance was related to a history of falls, reconstructed by means of a questionnaire administered to patients.
It seems, therefore, that a good way has opened up to help these patients stand on their feet!
For more details see the article on Ophthalmology of June 2015 or the video published by researchers.
Dr. Carmelo Chines
Direttore responsabile
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