Motion-Acuity Test for Visual Field Acuity Measurement with Motion-Defined Shapes

We are searching for the potentially enhanced visual functions in patients with injured visual system. Our research suggests that peripheral vision with its sensitivity to motion may be able to partially compensate for the loss of the central vision. Optical tests are based on the measurements of the stationary shape features.

We are proposing to measure acuity, the sharp vision with shapes of an equal surface built from moving dots. For the first time, it is possible to measure acuity based on motion sensitivity. The proposed protocol offers an accessible tool to assess visual acuity by recruiting central and peripheral visual fields.

Also, the possibility to use positive or negative contrast to modify the velocity of dots and the coherence of direction is crucial for a more detailed description of the full visual field. An assessment of the interplay between central and peripheral parts of the visual field has a crucial role in understanding how lost functions might be taken over by the spare parts of the visual system and how this process can be supported by visual training rehabilitation procedures. To begin, prepare a quiet dimly lit room with a computer, keyboard, display, eye tracker, desk, chin rest, and chair.

Arrange the setup so the participants can sit with their chin on the chin rest, eyes aligned with the center of the upper half of the display and hands reaching the keyboard's arrow keys. Access the configuration text file and locate the line containing the text, patient_name=TestPatient. Replace TestPatient with the specific identifier of the subject being examined.

Then instruct the subject to sit in front of the display, ensuring that their chin is rested on the chin rest and their eyes are directly aligned with the center of the upper half of the display. Confirm the distance between the screen and the subject is accurate. Navigate to the Vizcacha2.

jar directory on the computer and initiate the program. Guide the participant to consistently focus on the fixation cross located at the center of the screen throughout the experiment. On each side of the screen, a circle or an ellipse will be displayed equidistant from the central fixation cross.

The participant's task is to select the circle over the ellipse using the left and right arrow keys. Once the participant is ready, press the S key to commence the experiment. Terminate the program after four reversals or the maximum number of trials has been reached.

To update the newly obtained threshold as the baseline for the subsequent stimuli presentations, use the Python script in the replacer folder and follow the onscreen instructions. To begin, arrange the setup for the motion acuity test and perform the test to determine its difficulty level. Then once the subject is prepared, open the configuration text file to proceed with the coherence test.

Comment out the line reading filename=Shape_Brt. txt at the beginning of the line. After that, uncomment the line below it which includes the Shape_dotsB_C.

txt task. Execute the Vizchacha2. jar program.

Simplify the task explanation for the subject. Once the participant is ready, press the S key to initiate the experiment. Afterwards, reopen the configuration text file.

Comment out the line filename=shape_dotsB_C. txt and uncomment the line that includes the shape_dotsW_C. txt task.

For the Direction Task, after opening the configuration text file, comment on the previously selected file name and uncomment the line that contains filename=shape_dotsB_D. txt task. Execute the Vizcacha2.

jar program. Explain the task to the participant and press the S key to begin the experiment. Then reopen the configuration text file.

Comment out the line filename=shape_dotsB_D. txt and uncomment the line below which includes the shape_dotsW_D. txt task.

For the velocity task, open the configuration text file and comment on the previously selected file name. Uncomment the line containing filename=shape_dotsB_V10_20. txt task.

Execute the Vizcacha2. jar program. Explain the task to the participant and press the S key to begin the experiment.

Then comment out the line shape_dotsB_V10_20. txt and uncomment the line below it, which includes the shape_dotsW_V10_20. txt task.