Vivid Vision, a California-based start-up that has developed virtual reality technology to treat amblyopia, strabismus and disorders of binocular vision has signed an exclusive license agreement with The Research Foundation for The State University of New York (SUNY) to employ a new patented eye tracking system.
Invented by Benjamin Backus, an associate professor at the SUNY College of Optometry, with his colleagues Kenneth Ciuffreda and Diana Ludlam, the system uses eye tracking to provide direct and precise binocular visual stimulation at known locations on the retinas of both eyes simultaneously. The idea is to train neurons to function appropriately.
“Hebbian learning, which strengthens synaptic connections, is an important mechanism of neuroplasticity – the brain’s remarkable ability to change its structure and organisation to compensate for illness or injury and adjust to new situations,” said Assoc/ Prof. Backus. “It’s exciting to see this basic science research idea being developed in a realworld product to help people see better.”
Assoc/Prof. Backus, whose work at the SUNY College of Optometry focuses on understanding how binocular vision works, joined Vivid Vision as Chief Science Officer.
“We believe eye tracking is integral to the next generation of treatment tools for binocular dysfunction such as amblyopia, strabismus, and convergence insufficiency,” said Vivid Vision CEO James Blaha. “We couldn’t develop these new tools without collaboration with the Research Foundation for SUNY and the licensing of their patent.
