The Role of Hybrid See-Through Technology in Enhancing Augmented Reality for Visual Impairments

​In the evolving field of augmented reality (AR) for visual impairments, Hybrid See-Through (HST) technology is emerging as a pivotal innovation. HST blends the best features of Optical See-Through (OST) and Video See-Through (VST) technologies, enhancing the user experience by integrating their advantages while addressing some limitations.

The Principles of Hybrid See-Through Augmented Reality Systems

​Unlike traditional AR systems, which often struggle to balance natural and synthetic imagery, HST devices utilize a combination of hardware and software innovations to provide a more natural and intuitive visual aid. 

At the core of HST technology is the ability to blend real-world and augmented and enhanced images seamlessly, avoiding the harsh transitions typical of conventional AR systems. This is achieved through sophisticated image processing and real-time video manipulation, allowing for the augmentation of the user’s central visual field while maintaining peripheral vision.

How HST Helps with Visual Impairments

​HST technology is particularly beneficial for individuals with low vision, such as those suffering from Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD) and other retinal diseases. These conditions often result in the loss of central vision, leaving only peripheral vision intact. HST systems address this by enhancing the remaining peripheral vision and providing an enhanced, clearer central image through advanced image processing techniques.

For individuals with central vision loss, reliance on peripheral vision becomes critical. Over time, they naturally develop a “comfort zone” for their vision, which HST technology can enhance without forcing them into an isolated visual environment. Research shows that low-vision users with damaged or scarred retinas naturally (or with training) adjust their viewing so that a preferred retinal locus (PRL) with relatively better acuity receives their focus of attention.

​This adaptability is why Eyedaptic pioneered the use of HST technology. Eyedaptic’s AR glasses, designed with the user in mind, provide a seamless blend of augmented and real-world views, ensuring that users not only see better but also remain connected to their surroundings. With Eyedaptic, individuals with vision impairments can experience enhanced vision in a way that feels natural and intuitive, making everyday activities easier and more enjoyable.

Users can freely access any part of their visual field by simply moving their eyes, enabling them to utilize their peripheral vision and PRL more effectively without being forced to adjust to an entirely new way of seeing. HST technology enhances their vision without isolating them from their natural environment. 

More Advantages of using HST

• Enhanced Visual Quality: HST technology leverages the transparent displays of OST to provide a natural and clear view of the real world in the peripheral vision while integrating the high-quality video overlays of VST to ensure that digital information is always visible. For example, Eyedaptic’s AR glasses use HST technology, OLED technology and birdbath optics to achieve high apparent resolution, allowing users to perceive fine details with exceptional clarity and sharpness regardless of lighting conditions​​.
• Adaptability: Hybrid systems can adapt to different conditions and environments and enhance the image as appropriate.. Imagine you’re shopping in a grocery store, and your central vision is significantly enhanced by augmented reality glasses. As you walk down the aisles, the glasses can magnify and enhance the price tags of the items you’re focused on, allowing you to clearly read prices and other details. At the same time, your peripheral vision continues to function, helping you perceive the surrounding environment, such as the placement of shelves and the layout of the store aisles.
• Reduced Latency and Improved Depth Perception: By combining real-time camera feeds from VST with direct optical views from OST, HST effectively reduces perceptual latency and naturally blends the augmented world view with the real world view. This ensures that actions such as picking up objects or navigating spaces feel more natural and less disorienting. For instance, an industrial worker using HST glasses to perform complex machinery repairs benefits from the reduced latency, ensuring that augmented instructions align perfectly with their real-time actions, enhancing precision and efficiency.
• Improved User Experience: The seamless integration of OST and VST combined into  HST technology ensures a more comfortable and natural user experience. Eyedaptic’s AR glasses, for example, are designed to be lightweight and ergonomic, reducing eye strain and fatigue during prolonged use. The open design of these glasses allows users to maintain their natural peripheral vision and their connection to the physical world  while enhancing central vision, which is particularly beneficial for individuals with vision impairments such as age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

As we look to the future, HST technology promises to play a crucial role in making the world more accessible and navigable for those with vision challenges, allowing them to engage with their environment in ways that were once unimaginable.