Coming in the special September 2018 "Assistive Technology in Vision Impairment" feature issue of  Optometry & Vision Science
 Here are brief highlights.  
The online copy will be available in early September.
 
Michael Twa, OD, PhD, FAAO
Editor-in-Chief
Low Vision Enhancement with Head-mounted Video Display Systems: Are We There Yet?

Ashley Deemer, Chris Bradley, Nicole Ross, Danielle Natale, Rath Itthipanichpong, Frank Werblin, and Robert Massof

This topical review assesses the history, current advances, and scope of future research for low vision enhancement with head-mounted video display systems. The authors provide interesting details regarding how the advent of virtual and augmented reality are shaping this field.
Effectiveness of a Tablet Computer as a Spot-reading Magnifier
 
Walter Wittich, Jonathan Jarry, Elliott Morrice, and Aaron Johnson
The Apple iPad and a portable video magnifier are equivalent in a number of functional comparisons for low vision patients.

How People with Low Vision Achieve Magnification in Digital Reading

Christina Granquist, Yueh-Hsun Wu, Rachel Gage, Michael D. Crossland, and Gordon E. Legge

The authors report how low vision patients change viewing distances and magnification factors to access content on screens. This information can be used clinically to enhance accessibility of on-screen text for low vision patients.


Comparing Haptic Pattern Matching on Tablets and Phones: Large Screens Are Not Necessarily Better

Jennifer L. Tennison, Zachary S. Carril, Jenna L. Gorlewicz, and Nicholas A. Giudice

Large screens may not always lead to better performance for the blind and visually impaired relying on haptic feedback. Small screen sizes provided comparable accuracy performance to tablets and were faster to explore overall.


Using an Augmented Reality Device as a Distance-Based Vision Aid---- Promise and Limitations

Max Kinateder, Justin Gualtieri, Matt J. Dunn, Wojciech Jarosz, Xing-Dong Yang, and Emily A. Cooper
In this investigation, the authors assess the use of augmented reality devices as distance-based vision aids for visual impairment and provide clinicians a with an overview of potential benefits and limitations of augmented reality devices for visual enhancement.
A Vision Enhancement System to Improve Face Recognition with Central Vision Loss

Aurélie Calabrèse, Carlos Aguilar, Géraldine Faure, Frédéric Matonti, Louis Hoffart, and Eric Castet

The authors show that a vision enhancement system that provides smart magnification, a form of selective image enhancement, improves face identification accuracy by 55% for AMD patients.
Preliminary Evaluation of a Wearable Camera-based Collision Warning Device for Blind Individuals

Shrinivas Pundlik, Matteo Tomasi, Mojtaba Moharrer, Alex Bowers, and Gang Luo
The authors demonstrate a novel collision warning device that can benefit patients with vision impairment by detecting above ground threats normally missed by the long cane, thereby improving navigational decision skills.
Evaluation of an Audio-Haptic Sensory Substitution Device for Enhancing Spatial Awareness for the Visually Impaired 

Rebekka Hoffmann, Simone Spagnol, Árni Kristjánsson, and Runar Unnthorsson
Use of an audio-haptic sensory substitution device allowed patients with visual impairment to perform complex navigation comparable to the use of a cane with only a few hours of training.
Performance of Real-world Functional Tasks Using an Updated Oral Electronic Vision Device in Persons Blinded by Trauma 

Patricia Grant, Meesa Maeng, Tiffany Arango, Rich Hogle, Janet Szlyk, and William Seiple
The authors assess the real-world functionality of the BrainPort Vision Pro, a vision aid. Clinicians may find this enhances a blind person's independence significantly and helps successful integration into community life.
The Effect of a Head-mounted Low Vision Device on Visual Function

Walter Wittich, Marie-Celine Lorenzini, Samuel N. Markowitz, Michael Tolentino, Scott A Gartner, Judith E Goldstein, and Gislin Dagnelie
In a prospective multi-center trial, our authors find that eSight, a head-mounted low vision device, significantly improves visual abilities, including face recognition and reading performance. This device could significantly improve patients' quality of life.
Evaluation of a Paradigm to Investigate Detection of Road Hazards When Using a Bioptic Telescope

Alex R. Bowers, P. Matthew Bronstad, Lauren P. Spano, Bidisha Huq, Xiaolan Tang, Amy Doherty, Eli Peli, and Gang Luo
The authors developed an evaluation paradigm to study road hazards detection for bioptic telescope users that can aid future investigators who study the effects of ring scotoma in bioptic drivers.

Peripheral Prisms Improve Obstacle Detection for Patients with Left Hemispatial Neglect and Hemianopia

Kevin Edward Houston, Alex Bowers, Eli Peli, and Russell Woods
The use of peripheral prisms can help expand the visual field for patients with hemispatial neglect and homonymous visual defects. Practitioners may consider this viable treatment option.
No Useful Field Expansion with Full-field Prisms

Jae-Hyun Jung and Eli Peli
The authors report that full-field prisms are not effective field expansion devices. Clinicians prescribing full-field prisms likely provide field substitution for patients with homonymous hemianopia and acquired monocular vision.
Field Expansion for Acquired Monocular Vision Using a Multiplexing Prism

Jae-Hyun Jung and Eli Peli
The authors have developed and evaluated a novel multiplexing prism that can provide useful field expansion for acquired monocular vision patients that is cosmetically acceptable.
Visual Acuity Is Not the Best at the Preferred Retinal Locus in People with Macular Disease

Jean-Baptiste Bernard and Susana T. L. Chung

Practitioners may be surprised to learn that visual acuity for patients with macular disease is worse at the preferred retinal locus than at other retinal locations around the scotoma. Selection of the preferred retinal locus location is unlikely to be based on optimizing acuity. 
Subjective and Objective Measures of Daytime Activity and Sleep Disturbance in Retinitis Pigmentosa

Ava Katherine Bittner, Jennifer A. Haythornthwaite, Chandni Patel, and Michael T. Smith
Our authors show that sleep disturbances in retinitis pigmentosa patients may be related to a reduction in daytime activities. Practitioners should devise interventions to engage patients in physical daytime activities to help improve disturbed sleep.

Feasibility of Using Bluetooth Low Energy Beacon Sensors to Detect Magnifier Usage by Low Vision Patients

Ava Katherine Bittner, Andrew J. Jacobson, and Rakin Khan
Patient low vision device usage can be monitored effectively by using Bluetooth low energy beacon sensors. These behavioral insights could help clinicians to better understand patient habits and provide more effective individualized intervention strategies.
Test Re-test Variability of a Standardized Low Vision Lighting Assessment

Walter Wittich, Lorie St. Amour, Jonathan Jarry, and William Seiple
The authors found that the LuxIQ, a portable light metering device, lacks the precision required for meaningful clinical use and evidence-based lighting recommendations.
Utilization and Abandonment of Low Vision Devices Prescribed on a Mobile Clinic

Micaela Gobeille, Alexis Malkin, Richard Jamara, and Nicole Ross
The authors report the utilization and abandonment of low vision devices prescribed through mobile clinics. This information could help practitioners optimize their strategy for dispensing low vision devices in similar clinical settings.
Feasibility of Telerehabilitation for Low Vision: Satisfaction Ratings by Providers and Patients

Ava Katherine Bittner, Patrick Yoshinaga, Angie Bowers, John D. Shepherd, Tony Succar, and Nicole C. Ross
In this feasibility study, the authors show that telerehabilitation may be an acceptable and viable option for low vision patients. This could allow clinicians to reach out to patients who cannot come to clinics.
Randomized Trial of Tablet Computers to Support Education in Children and Young People with Low Vision

Vijaya K. Gothwal, Rachel Thomas, Michael Crossland, Seelam Bharani, Sujata Sharma, Hilary Unwin, Wen Xing, Komel Khabra, and Annegret Dahlmann-Noor
In this randomized prospective study, the authors show that tablet computers provide useful educational support for people with low vision, regardless of the geographical location.
A Global Public Health Perspective: Ensuring Access to Assistive Technology

Renee du Toit, Jill Keeffe, Jonathan Jackson, Diane Bell, Hasan Minto, and Philip Hoare
In this clinical perspective, the authors highlight challenges faced by people with visual impairments. They encourage eye care providers and policy makers to help ensure that services to this community are available through health coverage, rehabilitation, and access to assistive technology.
Review: Epistemological Trends in the Literature on Mobile Devices, Mobile Learning, and Learners with Visual Impairments

Simon Hayhoe

The authors of this study assess educational strategies used to integrate mobile devices for individuals with visual impairment and identify an important disconnect between educational theory and current practice. Moreover, their work suggests ways to assess and advance the field of mobile learning for individuals with visual impairment.
Case Report: Use of Sports and Performance Vision Training to Benefit a Low Vision Patient's Function

Daniel M. Laby

In this case report, visuomotor training techniques typically used to enhance objective and subjective sports vision performance were used to improve visual performance and reduce the impact of visual impairment for a patient with low vision.
Fittle: A Novel Braille Toy

Tania Jain, Beula Christy, Anthony Vipin Das, Debanshu Bhaumik, and PremNandhini Satgunam
The authors have developed a novel educational toy 'Fittle' to help children with visual impairments learn Braille. This open access toy design is available online so that practitioners can 3D print it for their patients.