Low vision is a significant public health problem affecting more than 3.5 million people in the US alone compromising an individuals’ sense of independence, ability to carry out daily life activities, and safety. Without retinal input, the downstream visual pathways also deteriorate. Thus, enhancement of the remaining visual function is necessary for potential future retinal interventions, not to mention allowing the individual to take the most advantage of what retinal function remains.

Dr. Jean Bennett and her team, recognized for their pioneering translational research in the field of ocular gene therapy, have been working to combine their knowledge on visual pathways used by low vision patients with recent advancements in augmented reality goggles, to modify salient information from the environment to the one that optimally suits the visual pathway enabling residual vision in low vision patients.