Citation

Mancil RM, Mancil GL, King E, Legault C, Munday J, Alfieri S, Nowakowski R, Blasch BB. J. Rehabil. Res. Dev. 2005; 42(4): 471-486.

Affiliation

Vision Rehabilitation Research Laboratory, Hefner VA Medical Center, 1601 Brenner Avenue, Salisbury, NC 28144. rickilyn.mancil@med.va.gov.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2005, Rehabilitation Research and Development Service, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

16320143

Abstract

This study compared the effectiveness of the ITT Night Vision Viewer with the Wide Angle Mobility Lamp (WAML) as low-vision mobility devices for people experiencing night blindness due to retinitis pigmentosa (RP). Both engineering bench testing and functional evaluations were used in the assessments. Engineering evaluations were conducted for (1) consistency of the manufacturer's specifications, (2) ergonomic characteristics, (3) modifications of devices, and (4) pedestrian safety issues. Twenty-seven patients with RP conducted rehabilitation evaluations with each device that included both clinical and functional tests. Both devices improved nighttime travel for people with night blindness as compared with nighttime travel with no device. Overall, the WAML provided better travel efficiency-equivalent to that measured in daytime. Recommendations have been developed on ergonomic factors for both devices. Although some participants preferred the ITT Night Vision Viewer, overall most participants performed better with the WAML.