Re:Lab

Over the years, there has been more emphasis on the development of sophisticated training methods to target various areas of our health. Muscles, balance, movement can all be trained, and the same holds true for our senses including our primary sense: vision. Although it is well understood that visual perception decreases as we age there is a lack of available preventative strategies to help mitigate this inevitable deterioration of our visual integrity. Re:Lab provides a solution in the form of a stand-alone, remotely controlled, virtual reality (VR) training tool (Re:Vision) that improves visual performance in healthy older adults. Our VR software suite contains exercises that use a 3D multiple object tracking (3D-MOT) framework. This visual task, developed by scientists to study visual attention and processing, requires the user to follow a target object, with the help of sound cues, as it moves among distracting elements in a scene. Our clinical studies demonstrate that visual training with 3D-MOT improves visual performance and self-reported quality of life. Moreover, to regularly evaluate the progress users make, we created a VR-version of a second tool, the useful field of view test (UFOV), which is used by vision doctors to measure changes in driving performance. There are obvious benefits of our technology for older adults including equitable access to preventative therapy performed in the comfort of one’s home without direct supervision by a healthcare professional. Our technology offers great benefits for modern visual rehabilitation and may be the future of the personalized health teleservices. 

Contact: eduardo.garcia@mail.utoronto.ca