| dc.description.abstract | Direct ophthalmoscopy is a medical procedure whereby a health professional examines the back of the eye, searching for life-threatening risks. The direct ophthalmoscope is used for examining the patient and it requires extensive practice for visualising the anatomical landmarks without causing discomfort to the patient. However, direct ophthalmoscopy skills are declining due to the use of diagnostic equipment available during instruction leading to insufficient practices with the direct ophthalmoscope. Maintaining such skills is important as the ophthalmoscope can be the only available device in healthcare facilities.
The use of cost-effective approaches to address this problem has led to the development of a number of systems employing Styrofoam heads, plastic canisters, and digital technologies including mobile applications and virtual reality to explore accessible complementary solutions. Virtual, augmented, and mixed reality are becoming technologies with the potential to deliver engaging and immersive experiences. While the availability of off-the-shelf immersive technologies is rising due to its recent affordability, there are several challenges associate with developing suitable interactions, particularly in the medical field.
This Master’s thesis focuses on the development of a virtual reality direct fundoscopy examination tool employing consumer-level technologies, and examines its face validity in comparison to the traditional photograph method and similar immersive tools by performing a Quality Function Deployment analysis. Furthermore, usability and cognitive workload perceptions are gathered to understand the feasibility of employing virtual reality controllers or hand gestures as digital replacements for the ophthalmoscope. | en |
