VR headset tests for glaucoma patients who struggle with traditional vision tests
Official title: Use of a virtual reality headset to test the untestable patients with glaucoma
Funded at Vivid Vision, INC. · NIH-11406843 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A patient-friendly VR headset test is being developed to reliably measure glaucoma progression in people who have trouble with standard eye tests.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Sbir 2 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Vivid Vision, INC. NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Francisco, United States) |
| Project start | September 15, 2026 |
| Project end | August 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $1,047,810 |
| NIH project number | 1R44EY039162-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11406843 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with glaucoma or suspected glaucoma who have difficulty completing standard visual field tests or who have unreliable test results.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have access to or cannot use VR technology may not benefit from this approach.
What this research studies
Glaucoma patients often have difficulty completing standard visual field tests, which can lead to delays and misinformed treatment. This project uses a virtual reality headset to create an easier, more engaging test that reduces fatigue and does not require strict eye fixation or head stability. The goal is to produce more reliable results and smoother enrollment in future trials by making testing accessible to older adults and those with language or cognitive challenges. If successful, this approach could improve how doctors monitor glaucoma and decide when to adjust treatment.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Improved reliability and speed of glaucoma monitoring, leading toTimely and better-informed treatment decisions.
How similar studies have gone: Previous traditional tests have reliability issues; this VR approach is novel but builds on known needs for better accessibility and engagement.
Where this research is happening
-
Vivid Vision, INC.
San Francisco, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Backus, Benjamin T — Vivid Vision, INC.
- Study coordinator: Backus, Benjamin T
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.