**6. Modern technologies in VR**

Digital technologies have improved reading opportunities for AMD patients, first by transferring the text to video screens where it can be manipulated and, more recently, in digital representations that can be personalized [87].

In this sense, several devices that such as CCTVs, tablets, smartphones, or electronic readers have shown a great potential to improve reading ability in individuals with CFL.

One of these technologies whose effectiveness in improving reading between CFL patients has been clinically proven is the iPad (**Figure 6**). This was demonstrated by a study in which, with the help of the character magnification provided by the iPad, 64 out of 73 patients with AMD (88%) were able to read standard size text (N8) or smaller [88].

**Figure 6.** *Character magnification provided by the iPad [20].*

#### *Evidence-Based Practice and Trends in Visual Rehabilitation for Patients with Age-Related… DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.96817*

Another study conducted in 100 patients with low vision (of whom 57 had AMD) found that the iPad offers read speed improvement performance comparable to CCTV systems and home magnification devices, making it a less costly and bulky option for visually impaired people seeking VR [89].

Within this line of work, several applications are being developed for implementation on such devices, such as the MD\_evReader application, which scrolls text in a single line to improve reading performance by reducing the demands on the eye movement system and minimising the effects of perceptual crowding [90], proving to reduce reading error rates in individuals with CFL [91].

Modern technologies relevant to VR also include HMDs, which comprise a miniature electronic display in close proximity to one or both eyes which causes a highly magnified virtual image of the miniature screen to appear at a comfortable distance for the viewer. At the present moment, these devices have only demonstrated significant improvements in distance and intermediate visual acuity when compared to conventional optical LVAs in patients with AMD [92], but with the rapid evolution of virtual and augmented reality technologies, innovative approaches are making their way in this field.

For example, in a study which tested the effectiveness of a virtual bioptic telescope and a virtual projection screen implemented with an HMD, improvements in functional ability outcomes estimated from visual information, targets difficulty ratings and reading were observed in a sample of 30 patients with AMD and bilateral central scotomas [93].

Other noteworthy technologies in this area include portable artificial vision devices, such as The OrCam MyEye, which employs a miniature television camera mounted on the frame of the spectacles to recognize text, monetary denominations, faces, and other objects if activated by the patient pressing a trigger button, allowing people with visual impairment to understand text and identify objects through audio feedback. The device, which has recently been commercialized, has proven to be an effective tool for different low-vision patients, leading to contrasted improvements in several visual activities even superior to those achieved with previously used optical aids [94].
