Novel optical technologies to assist the visually impaired

The prevalence of visual impairment is increasing steadily. The prognosis for the next decades are alarming. Cataract, macula degeneration are main root causes. Rising numbers are seen in developed countries due to e.g. age‐dependent macula degeneration as well as in developing countries due to e.g. diabetic retinopathy or myopic maculopathy. Technological trends in optics as well as application‐inspired research is giving new hope to the visual impaired people. New training tools or assistive tools are upcoming. Especially advances in machine learning, computer and machine vision as well as in optical technologies enable new applications. Examples are augmented reality, virtual reality, and eye tracking. Combinations of these technologies like a virtual reality headset equipped with eye‐tracking enables real‐time gaze‐contingent applications like training of eccentric fixation. Together with the implementation of gamification real‐world scenarios can be transferred to virtual reality to assist visually impaired people.