Efficacy and patients’ satisfaction with the ORCAM MyEye device among visually impaired people: a multicenter study

Abstract

Objective To evaluate usability of and satisfaction with OrCam MyEye, a finger-size wearable assistive technology device for visually impaired during real-world tasks. Methods This prospective multicenter study was conducted on visually impaired people recruited from 5 vision rehabilitation centers. Patients performed real-world tasks such as near and distance reading, money handling, colour identification and faces recognition in 2 different scenarios: without using any low vision aid and with OrCam. System Usability Scale (SUS), Patient’s Global Impression of Change (PGIC), the Quebec User Evaluation of Satisfaction with Assistive Technology (QUEST 2.0) and the Psychosocial Impact of Assistive Devices Scale (PIADS) were administered after the use of the OrCam device. Results Among the 100 participants, use of OrCam MyEye device improved many daily-living tasks (F = 1.67, P < .05), and in particular reading and face recognition. Multivariate logistic regression showed that age and visual field defect explained 89% of the variation in efficacy of the device. Nearly half (45%) of the participants indicated a positive rating with the SUS. The PGIC rates showed a minimal improvement with a mean score of 4.2 (SD:1.8). The most highlighted parameter with the QUEST 2.0 test was “ease of use” in 58% (48 subjects). The PIADS indicator showed that the device positively impacted on the daily-living tasks of users (r2 = 0.72, P < .05). Regression modelling demonstrated a good relation between the questionnaires scores and demographic, disease and visual factors (P < .05). Conclusions OrCam MyEye allowed visually impaired people to read, handle money and face recognition independently. This device may offer to these subjects to be independent.