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Making It App-En
A CHARITY behind a new app, which simulates what life looks like for blind and partially sighted people, says it hopes it will lead to a greater understanding about the impact of sight loss.
With just a few clicks and using smartphone technology, the app enables sighted people to experience for themselves some of the challenges people with sight loss face every day.
It's been developed by Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) - with funds raised by players of People's Postcode Lottery. Eleven different eye conditions can be simulated, including glaucoma, cataracts, and even colour blindness.
Jim Sanders, RNIB's Director of Innovation and Transformation, said: "There's a common misconception that sight loss looks the same for everyone. Sight loss is a spectrum - 93 per cent of blind people have some level of vision, while only seven per cent see nothing at all and while some people may not have useful vision, they might see light, depth or colour perception.
"It can be hard for those around them to really understand what people with sight loss can see but having more knowledge and perspective can be so important."
The number of people in the UK living with sight loss is estimated to double from two million to four million by 2050. The new RNIB Eyeware app wants to close the gap in understanding between those experiencing sight loss and their sighted friends, family and wider society.
RNIB Eyeware is an augmented reality app which, with the aid of a smartphone, and a simple cardboard headset, allows sighted users to immerse themselves in the world around them. Guided videos offer a 360-degree perspective of some of the experiences people with sight loss undergo every day. Different eye conditions with varying levels of severity can be experienced.
Jim, who has worked for RNIB for 12 years, said the potential impact of the app became clear to him when he shared an early prototype with his family.
Jim said: "My wife's grandmother is 96 years old and has age-related macular degeneration (AMD).
"I took Eyeware on a family trip to visit her.
"I got it out and I said, 'Look - I know Nana's got AMD, but do any of you know what that's like? Let me show you what it is your grandmother sees.'
"I set it up, gave it to my wife, and the first thing she said was, 'Now I know why Nana always says it's raining.'
"AMD often has this almost oily effect on your vision.
"As my wife looked out the window, she said it looked like there was water pouring down the glass.
"She said, 'Now I get it. Now I understand.'
"Then my sister-in-law started using it and found it hugely emotional.
"For the first time, the family really understood why their Nana could do some tasks and struggle with others.
"That real understanding is priceless."
The free-to-use app was launched at a special event in London earlier this month, where the charity paid special thanks to Postcode Lottery players, who helped fund the project and have raised more than £10 million for RNIB since 2018.
"We're so excited to have developed RNIB Eyeware and couldn't have done it without the support of players of People's Postcode Lottery," said Jim.
The charity hopes the app will help change public perceptions about sight loss and ultimately change behaviour.
It can be adapted to be used in a number of different scenarios, from enabling family and friends to understand the eye condition their loved one is experiencing, to helping assessors on rehabilitation visits experience how someone moves around their home with their particular level of vision.
RNIB says the app can also be used in workplaces, helping employers better understand the needs of blind or partially sighted employees and could even be used as a tool for planning departments to demonstrate how decisions on street design can affect people with sight loss.
Rob Melvill, RNIB's Director of Relationships, Income and Engagement, said: "Everyone who has worked on this app is excited to see the ways in which people will use it. That exploration is possible thanks to the more than £10 million of support we've received from players of People's Postcode Lottery helping make projects like this app a reality."
RNIB Eyeware is free to download on Apple and Android devices and can also be accessed via a web browser.
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Published: 27/11/2024
