Eye Diagnostics in Virtual Reality

Sammanfattning: Eye tracking technology has been a great addition to medicine, psychology and behavioural science. Its contribution to diagnosis and the understanding of specific eye diseases should not be understated. However, eye tracking technology is often complex, expensive, immobile and usually requires users that can keep still for longer periods of time. These prerequisites are at times not possible, and a solution for a lighter, more accessible eye tracking system that can give similar results is desirable. In recent years, research and development have created eye trackers small enough to fit inside the cavity of head mounted displays and headsets for virtual reality, creating new possibilities for research and mobility. The aim of this thesis is to evaluate how close this new technology can replicate existing technology and its ability to diagnose a specific eye disease, nystagmus. Aspects of interest are for example how the two systems differ in ease of use, how they measure data and the data quality. The major research question is to evaluate if the new equipment, a combination of virtual reality and eye tracking, is a viable option to the already established versions of eye tracking systems. Our thesis has shown that there is indeed potential for using VR headsets equipped with eye tracking technology, but the technology has to improve for it to be viable in a clinical situation. With further technical development and software development for the calibration and test protocol of a truly mobile system, it will complement the stationary systems as a great diagnostic tool.