A study tested the potential of AR device in improving the functional vision of people with near-complete vision loss in 2018. An AR applicationthat translates spatial information into high-contrast visual patterns was developed. Performance was tested on a range of visual tasks. The result found that AR application was associated with improved accuracy and confidence in object recognition and in gesture recognition. 

Study of AR Glasses on Visual Impairment

- New tools like AR glasses should attempt to supplement traditional tools like the guide dog and white cane that are relied on by millions of people instead of replacing them.
- While gathering physical information about nearby objects can be useful, identifying and gathering semantic information such as text is a frequent unmet need for blind users.
- The assisstant devices should not make additional noise and cover up environmental sounds since the sound is a valuable information source for blind people

Expected ideas on AR glasses 

- Object Localization: Identify the locations of the three sign poles using audio cues.
- Text Recognition:  Identify signs like "bus stop 52".
- Direct Navigation:   Walk to "bus stop 52."
- Text Recognition and Direct Navigation in Proximity Mode:  Switch to “proximity mode,” which would limit detection range but give the user a better indication of changing distance, then identify and walk to bus stop 80.

HoloLens AR Device Testing on Blind User

The researchers implement an intuitive user interface that each object in the environment has a voice and communicates with the user on command.  With minimal training, this system supports many aspects of visual cognition: obstacle avoidance, scene understanding, formation and recall of spatial memories, navigation.

AR as a conitive assistant for the blind study

AR is a technology that augments physical environments on a mobile device screen by overlaying them with digital content. Unlike Virtual Reality(VR) that creates an immersive virtual environment, AR is based on a footprint of a real surrounding and it only adds additional computer-generated data. An AR glass is believed that can help people with vision impairment or people that are completely blind. 

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

- Aira Glasses
- NuEyes
- QD Laser
- Augmented Reality Glasses

Smart Glasses for Visual Impairment or Blind

https://abilitynet.org.uk/news-blogs/three-cool-smart-glasses-help-people-who-are-blind-or-have-sight-loss

Three smart glasses to help people who are blind or have sight loss

Using a pair of smart glasses with a camera attached, or a smartphone camera, Aira agents are able to see what a person with vision impairment sees in real-time, and then talk to them through the app so they can help the person with whatever the task is at hand. The user highly relies on the agents' service and it is paid on an expansive monthly rate. But the hand-in-hand service is more helpful than ai-based technology and requires no cost of learning.

Aira Smart Glasses

Augmented Reality(AR) Glasses

QD laser is similar to NuEyes technology but is ligher and smaller that includes mini computer-screens mounted in front of eyes to projects images directly on to your retina using lazers. Not available yet for consumers and is expensive.

 Quantum-Dot(QD) laser Glasses

NuEyes  developed one of the most advanced smart glasses for visual impairment people. The lightweight glasses run on Android and include features like up to 12x magnification, the ability to change the colours and contrast of what you are looking at, bar/QR code scanning and OCR (optical character recognition) to recognise and speak out print documents. They can either be operated with a wireless controller or using simple voice commands
Very expensive and highly advanced but has not entered any health insurance plan by 2022. Requires the user to learn how to use.

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