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Time of Flight Technology Enhances the Lives of the Visually Impaired

Young female wearing VES Falcon Autofocus Bioptic and smiling

Technology designed for self-driving cars is now being applied to help low vision individuals see as close to normal as possible.

A project, led by Ocutech, Inc. a developer of vision-enhancing devices for the visually impaired, in collaboration with the engineering firm Image Quality Labs and ESPROS Photonics AG, has created the world’s only self-focusing bioptic telescopes.  Bioptic telescopes allow visually impaired individuals to magnify objects making them easier to see, similar to the use of binoculars. They may provide close-to-normal visual acuity for individuals with vision as reduced as 20/300. But since bioptics must be focused to be used at different distances, they can be inconvenient, if not difficult to use.

What is Time of Flight (ToF) Technology?

Incorporating time of flight (ToF) technology has enabled the development of the Falcon Autofocus Bioptic. By measuring the distance at the speed of light, it allows the device to focus smoothly and immediately to virtually any distance, providing the most natural and easy to use magnification possible. The Falcon incorporates wide-field Keplerian optics and is available in 3x, 4x and 5.5x powers. Weighing just 3.2 ounces (90gm), the Falcon device, mounted onto custom-designed conventional eyeglasses, can be worn comfortably for hours.  It can operate for over 8 hours using its separate rechargeable battery pack.

Young female wearing VES-Falcon Autofocus Bioptic and smiling
Time of Flight Technology Enhances the Lives of the Visually Impaired

Experienced manual focus bioptic wearers report how much easier and more natural the Falcon is to use.  Intended for individuals with central vision loss from disorders including Macular Degeneration, Stargardt’s Disease, Albinism, Nystagmus, Optic Atrophy, Achromatopsia and other Photo-receptor disorders, the Falcon, as well as Ocutech’s manual-focus versions have helped individuals of all ages throughout the world, allowing them to fully engage in the world around them such as to see signs while traveling and shopping, the board in school, recognize faces of friends and family, and where legal, perhaps even drive.

How to Obtain More Information

Ocutech bioptic telescopes are available through low vision specialists throughout the world.  Contact Ocutech for more information at 1-800-326-6460 or bioptics@ocutech.com. Visit Ocutech's website for additional contact information!

ESPROS Press Release

https://www.espros.com/time-of-flight-technology-enhances-the-lives-of-the-visually-impaired/