My Role
Developer/Designer/Researcher
Duration
6 months
Softwares
Unity, C#
VR Visual Therapy Arcade
VR Visual Therapy Arcade
The VR Visual Therapy Arcade is an innovative project built using C# and Unity, designed to support individuals with amblyopia, stereoblindness, and convergence insufficiency. It features three interactive VR games: Color Matching, Color Tracking, and Dynamic Ring Toss. These games provide immersive visual exercises to improve eye alignment, depth perception, and visual processing. With continuous motion, randomized challenges, and intuitive design, the arcade offers a unique blend of therapy and entertainment to enhance visual rehabilitation outcomes.
The VR Visual Therapy Arcade is an innovative project built using C# and Unity, designed to support individuals with amblyopia, stereoblindness, and convergence insufficiency. It features three interactive VR games: Color Matching, Color Tracking, and Dynamic Ring Toss. These games provide immersive visual exercises to improve eye alignment, depth perception, and visual processing. With continuous motion, randomized challenges, and intuitive design, the arcade offers a unique blend of therapy and entertainment to enhance visual rehabilitation outcomes.
My Role:
Developer/Designer/Researcher
Duration
6 months
Softwares
Unity, C#
My Role:
Developer, Designer, Researcher
Duration
6 months
Softwares
Unity, C#
Initial Research
Initial Research
The concept of using virtual reality (VR) for vision therapy is not novel and has been explored extensively. These applications have shown promise in addressing visual impairments such as amblyopia, strabismus, convergence insufficiency, and stereoblindness. By leveraging immersive and interactive environments, VR-based vision therapy aims to make the treatment process more effective and engaging than traditional methods.
The concept of using virtual reality (VR) for vision therapy is not novel and has been explored extensively. These applications have shown promise in addressing visual impairments such as amblyopia, strabismus, convergence insufficiency, and stereoblindness. By leveraging immersive and interactive environments, VR-based vision therapy aims to make the treatment process more effective and engaging than traditional methods.
OBVAT(In-person therapy) vs. VR therapy
OBVAT(In-person therapy) vs. VR therapy
Both showed similar results of improvement
Accessible
VR Visual Therapy is more accessible.
Incorporating Movement
Continuous movement improves depth perception
OBVAT (In-person therapy) vs. VR Therapy
Both showed similar results of improvement
Accessible
VR visual therapy is more accessible
Incorporating Movement
Continuous movement improves depth perception
OBVAT (In-person therapy) vs. VR Therapy
Both showed similar results of improvement
Accessible
VR visual therapy is more accessible
Incorporating Movement
Continuous movement improves depth perception
OBVAT (In-person therapy) vs. VR Therapy
Both showed similar results of improvement
Accessible
VR visual therapy is more accessible
Incorporating Movement
Continuous movement improves depth perception
Through my research, I designed features specifically to address visual impairments like amblyopia, convergence insufficiency, and stereoblindness
Through my research, I designed features specifically to address visual impairments like amblyopia, convergence insufficiency, and stereoblindness
Through my research, I designed features specifically to address visual impairments like amblyopia, convergence insufficiency, and stereoblindness
Problem
Problem
Traditional vision therapy can be repetitive, inaccessible, and lacks immersion, making it less appealing or effective for sustained use. There’s a need for a more engaging and interactive approach to encourage consistent participation and improve visual outcomes.
Solution
Solution
VR game that guides users through interactive tasks, such as aligning objects or tracking moving targets, to improve eye coordination and depth perception, making therapy more immersive and accessible.
Comments
Honest Feedback from eye-care professionals
Honest Feedback from eye-care professionals
Vision Therapy with VR
Using virtual reality for vision therapy would be great for patients as it can allow for a more active, engaging, and less limiting space.
Colors in VR games
You should use a variety of colors in your games. By using multicolors in your game, you are making sure the patient does not have "suppression".
Reasons for Therapy
In visual therapy, you are helping with: checking patient suppression, checking eye tracking abilities, and binocular visual processing.
Positives of Vision Therapy
Vision therapy is great and implementing that in VR can be very helpful. This can also be used as an educational tool because vision therapy can help with reading comprehension.
Tips for possible games
If your goal is to improve these impairments, you should focus on games that improve depth perception, eye tracking, visual processing, and hand-eye coordination.
Vision Therapy with VR
Using virtual reality for vision therapy would be great for patients as it can allow for a more active, engaging, and less limiting space.
Colors in VR games
You should use a variety of colors in your games. By using multicolors in your game, you are making sure the patient does not have "suppression".
Reasons for Therapy
In visual therapy, you are helping with: checking patient suppression, checking eye tracking abilities, and binocular visual processing.
Positives of Vision Therapy
Vision therapy is great and implementing that in VR can be very helpful. This can also be used as an educational tool because vision therapy can help with reading comprehension.
If your goal is to improve these impairments, you should focus on games that improve depth perception, eye tracking, visual processing, and hand-eye coordination.
Tips for possible games
Problem
Solution
Traditional vision therapy can be repetitive, inaccessible, and lacks immersion, making it less appealing or effective for sustained use. There’s a need for a more engaging and interactive approach to encourage consistent participation and improve visual outcomes.
VR game that guides users through interactive tasks, such as aligning objects or tracking moving targets, to improve eye coordination and depth perception, making therapy more immersive and accessible.
Competitive Analysis
Competitive Analysis
Efficient, user-friendly, and easy
As part of the design process for my visual therapy arcade games, I began by reviewing feedback from eye-care professionals. Building on their insights, I conducted research into existing vision therapy games, identifying commonalities and unique features through a detailed analysis of similarities and differences.
As part of the design process for my visual therapy arcade games, I began by reviewing feedback from eye-care professionals. Building on their insights, I conducted research into existing vision therapy games, identifying commonalities and unique features through a detailed analysis of similarities and differences.
Design Process
Design Process
Efficient, user-friendly, and easy
After analyzing the competition, I brainstormed and ideated several potential games to include in my arcade. Ultimately, I developed three unique games, illustrated below, that integrate the key focuses of the competitive games.
After analyzing the competition, I brainstormed and ideated several potential games to include in my arcade. Ultimately, I developed three unique games, illustrated below, that integrate the key focuses of the competitive games.
Target User
Target User
Efficient, user-friendly, and easy
The target user for the VR vision therapy arcade includes patients undergoing vision therapy for conditions such as amblyopia, strabismus, or convergence insufficiency, who are looking for engaging and effective ways to improve eye coordination, focus, and tracking skills. It also caters to children and teenagers who prefer gamified and immersive experiences over traditional exercises, making therapy more enjoyable. Eye-care professionals and clinics are another key audience, as they can integrate these innovative tools into their practices to enhance patient engagement. Additionally, parents and caregivers supporting children in vision therapy may find this arcade a valuable resource. Lastly, casual VR users and gamers interested in improving their vision can also benefit from the therapeutic and interactive nature of the games.
The target user for the VR vision therapy arcade includes patients undergoing vision therapy for conditions such as amblyopia, strabismus, or convergence insufficiency, who are looking for engaging and effective ways to improve eye coordination, focus, and tracking skills. It also caters to children and teenagers who prefer gamified and immersive experiences over traditional exercises, making therapy more enjoyable. Eye-care professionals and clinics are another key audience, as they can integrate these innovative tools into their practices to enhance patient engagement. Additionally, parents and caregivers supporting children in vision therapy may find this arcade a valuable resource. Lastly, casual VR users and gamers interested in improving their vision can also benefit from the therapeutic and interactive nature of the games.
User Testing
User Testing
Efficient, user-friendly, and easy
I recruited five users from the target audience categories to participate in the four scenarios below, using the developed games based on the initial sketches.
I recruited five users from the target audience categories to participate in the four scenarios below, using the developed games based on the initial sketches.
User Testing Analysis
User Testing Analysis
Efficient, user-friendly, and easy
The following outlines the analyzed data and observations gathered from user testing.
The following outlines the analyzed data and observations gathered from user testing.
Implementations & Details
Implementations & Details
Efficient, user-friendly, and easy
Efficient, user-friendly, and easy
Based on the feedback I received from eye-care professionals and user testing, I took note of features I could incorporate in this project. I designed the VR-based therapy with vibrant colors and a minimal environment to enhance focus and create an engaging experience that builds on traditional methods with added immersion and accessibility. Using raycast interactions for grabbing and moving objects, the therapy strengthens visual attention and hand-eye coordination. Additionally, I wanted to randomized the colors and the movement of objects upon pressing the play-again button, promoting visual memory, processing, and adaptability.
I aimed to create three games, each with a unique focus: a color-matching game, a color-tracking challenge, and a dynamic ring toss.
Based on the feedback I received from eye-care professionals and user testing, I took note of features I could incorporate in this project. I designed the VR-based therapy with vibrant colors and a minimal environment to enhance focus and create an engaging experience that builds on traditional methods with added immersion and accessibility. Using raycast interactions for grabbing and moving objects, the therapy strengthens visual attention and hand-eye coordination. Additionally, I wanted to randomized the colors and the movement of objects upon pressing the play-again button, promoting visual memory, processing, and adaptability.
I aimed to create three games, each with a unique focus: a color-matching game, a color-tracking challenge, and a dynamic ring toss.
Controls
Efficient, user-friendly, and easy
The arcade features snap turn controls and joystick-based locomotion, enabling players to navigate the environment using the joystick on the left-hand controller. The games include mechanisms like gaze interaction, grabbable objects, object color manipulation, and ray-based interactions. Additionally, the game incorporates interactive buttons and objects that are in constant motion to make an interactive and immersive environment.
The arcade features snap turn controls and joystick-based locomotion, enabling players to navigate the environment using the joystick on the left-hand controller. The games include mechanisms like gaze interaction, grabbable objects, object color manipulation, and ray-based interactions. Additionally, the game incorporates interactive buttons and objects that are in constant motion to make an interactive and immersive environment.
Color Matching Game
Color Matching Game
Efficient, user-friendly, and easy
Efficient, user-friendly, and easy
Efficient, user-friendly, and easy
Efficient, user-friendly, and easy
This game helps improve visual impairments like amblyopia and convergence insufficiency by enhancing eye coordination, focus, and alignment.
I used raycast interactions to grab and move objects. Raycast interactions reinforce visual attention and hand-eye coordination.
Once the play again button is pressed, the cylinders respawn and the colored circles change positions. The randomized circle positions change the colors which improves visual memory, processing, and adaptability.
This game helps improve visual impairments like amblyopia and convergence insufficiency by enhancing eye coordination, focus, and alignment.
I used raycast interactions to grab and move objects. Raycast interactions reinforce visual attention and hand-eye coordination.
Once the play again button is pressed, the cylinders respawn and the colored circles change positions. The randomized circle positions change the colors which improves visual memory, processing, and adaptability.
How To Play:
Grab the cylinders and place it on the matching colored circles.
Once all cylinders are in the matching colored circles, click "play again" to play with new color combinations.
Raycast Interactions
Improves depth perception and hand-eye coordination
Color Randomization
Improves visual memory and processing skills
How To Play:
Grab the cylinders and place it on the matching colored circles.
Once all cylinders are in the matching colored circles, click "play again" to play with new color combinations.
Raycast Interactions
Improves depth perception and hand-eye coordination
Color Randomization
Improves visual memory and processing skills
Raycast Interactions
Improves depth perception and hand-eye coordination
Color Randomization
Improves visual memory and processing skills
How To Play:
Grab the cylinders and place it on the matching colored circles.
Once all cylinders are in the matching colored circles, click "play again" to play with new color combinations.
Raycast Interactions
Improves depth perception and hand-eye coordination
Color Randomization
Improves visual memory and processing skills
Color Tracking Game
Color Tracking Game
Efficient, user-friendly, and easy
Efficient, user-friendly, and easy
Efficient, user-friendly, and easy
Efficient, user-friendly, and easy
The Color Tracking Game uses visual gaze interactions and tracking by having players find a moving green cube among 12 white cubes. This aids with conditions like amblyopia and convergence insufficiency by encouraging the eyes to work together and process visual information faster. The timer and scoreboard add focus and challenge, improving reaction times and strengthening vision.
The timer also encourages the players to improve their visual processing skills by using time constraints.
The Color Tracking Game uses visual gaze interactions and tracking by having players find a moving green cube among 12 white cubes. This aids with conditions like amblyopia and convergence insufficiency by encouraging the eyes to work together and process visual information faster. The timer and scoreboard add focus and challenge, improving reaction times and strengthening vision.
The timer also encourages the players to improve their visual processing skills by using time constraints.
How To Play:
Follow the green square with your eyes.
Find as many green squares as you can within the time limit.
Click "Play again" to reset score/time.
Visual Gaze Interactions
Inputs data from headset to game to track players eyes
Time Constraints
Encourages players to quicken visual processing skills
How To Play:
Follow the green square with your eyes.
Find as many green squares as you can within the time limit.
Click "Play again" to reset score/time.
Visual Gaze Interactions
Inputs data from headset to game to track players eyes
Time Constraints
Encourages players to quicken visual processing skills
Visual Gaze Interactions
Inputs data from headset to game to track players eyes
Time Constraints
Encourages players to quicken visual processing skills
How To Play:
Follow the green square with your eyes.
Find as many green squares as you can within the time limit.
Click "Play again" to reset score/time.
Visual Gaze Interactions
Inputs data from headset to game to track players eyes
Time Constraints
Encourages players to quicken visual processing skills
Dynamic Ring Toss
Dynamic Ring Toss
Efficient, user-friendly, and easy
Efficient, user-friendly, and easy
The Dynamic Ring Toss Game uses raycast mechanics to throw objects into moving, color-coded rings, improving hand-eye coordination, visual tracking, and depth perception. VR enhances traditional therapy with real-time feedback and immersive visuals. The randomized ring movements challenge players to adapt, helping with amblyopia, stereoblindness, and convergence insufficiency by promoting depth perception and binocular coordination.
The Dynamic Ring Toss Game uses raycast mechanics to throw objects into moving, color-coded rings, improving hand-eye coordination, visual tracking, and depth perception. VR enhances traditional therapy with real-time feedback and immersive visuals. The randomized ring movements challenge players to adapt, helping with amblyopia, stereoblindness, and convergence insufficiency by promoting depth perception and binocular coordination.
How To Play:
Throw each cylinder into matching colored rings above.
Click "Play again" once the rings are back in their original position to challenge yourself with new color and movement patterns!
Constant Movement
This helps improve depth perception
Throwing Objects
Improves spatial awareness and hand-eye coordination
How To Play:
Throw each cylinder into matching colored rings above.
Click "Play again" once the rings are back in their original position to challenge yourself with new color and movement patterns!
Constant Movement
This helps improve depth perception
Throwing Objects
Improves spatial awareness and hand-eye coordination
Constant Movement
This helps improve depth perception
Throwing Objects
Improves spatial awareness and hand-eye coordination
How To Play:
Throw each cylinder into matching colored rings above.
Click "Play again" once the rings are back in their original position to challenge yourself with new color and movement patterns!
Constant Movement
This helps improve depth perception
Throwing Objects
Improves spatial awareness and hand-eye coordination
Final Results
Final Results
Efficient, user-friendly, and easy
The games were retested by the original five participants, who provided positive feedback based on their initial experiences. Given more time, I would explore how these games impact patients currently undergoing vision therapy and assess whether the games contribute to improvements in their visual impairments.
The games were retested by the original five participants, who provided positive feedback based on their initial experiences. Given more time, I would explore how these games impact patients currently undergoing vision therapy and assess whether the games contribute to improvements in their visual impairments.
What I learned
Efficient, user-friendly, and easy
Through this project, I gained a deeper understanding of visual impairments and how they can be addressed through vision therapy in VR. I enhanced my programming skills and learned valuable techniques for developing games in a virtual reality environment. Additionally, I honed my ability to conduct thorough research and empathize with users by designing a product tailored to individuals with specific impairments, aiming to make a meaningful impact on their lives.
Through this project, I gained a deeper understanding of visual impairments and how they can be addressed through vision therapy in VR. I enhanced my programming skills and learned valuable techniques for developing games in a virtual reality environment. Additionally, I honed my ability to conduct thorough research and empathize with users by designing a product tailored to individuals with specific impairments, aiming to make a meaningful impact on their lives.