According to Digital Health Age, a wearable eye technology may be revolutionary in the lives of those who have Locked-In Syndrome, which is often associated with ALS and other motor neuron diseases and conditions. The eye technology has the ability to allow patients to communicate through eye gestures while they are unable to communicate verbally.
ALS Explained
ALS is the widely known abbreviation for the condition amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. The condition is a progressive, neurological disease that kills nerve cells in the brain stem, spinal cord, and brain. The muscles of a patient with ALS eventually weaken, so much so that ALS is usually a fatal condition as the chest muscles wither away. Symptoms of the condition include tripping/falling, difficulty with small movements, difficulty walking or doing other everyday things, slowed or slurred speech, and more. There is no cure for ALS, but there are treatments that target symptoms. To read more about the condition, click here.
Wearable Technology
A potentially groundbreaking wearable technology, EyeControl, is now labeled as the only and first wearable eye tracking technology for those that experience Locked-In Syndrome, a common side effect of neurological conditions like ALS.
The technology essentially allows those with Locked-In Syndrome to communicate through eye gestures 24/7, as audio feedback travels through a portable speaker. The device itself is a head-mounted camera that patients can wear. The headset tracks pupil movement and through this movement users are capable of scrolling through dialogue and menu options, effectively choosing what to say and how to say it.
Additional features of the technology include the option to blink three times in case of emergency, and users can also teach the technology personalized syntax through eye movements.
This cool technology has the ability to be incredibly helpful for those who struggle with Locked-In Syndrome, which is a syndrome in which a person still has full cognitive ability but cannot move or speak. As a result, communication for those with the syndrome is pretty much impossible and only achievable through eye movements. Enter EyeControl.
The CEO of EyeControl expands on the effectiveness of the device: “What makes the EyeControl unique is that it has the ability to provide the user with independently controlled communication,” said Or Retzkin.
“The EyeControl introduces a new reality of accessibility for locked-in individuals to communicate with their friends, family, and carers, transforming everyday tasks for both users and their carers. Individuals are now able to communicate immediately upon waking, while in the bathroom, indoors, outdoors and even while travelling – situations that alternative devices have not been able to accommodate. We hope to inspire a new sense of independence for these individuals,” he continued.
The technology has the ability to revolutionize the lives of those who struggle with various neurodegenerative conditions like ALS. To read more about the cool invention, click here.
