Toward accessible evaluation of the electrophysiology of human vision

As photoreceptors in our retinas capture discrete photons, that energy is converted into an electrochemical signal which shoots back through the optic nerve and into our visual cortex. We can sample that signal as it's transmitted, by delivering specific stimuli and recording the aggregate response of the photoreceptors, but systems which accomplish this in current practice are out of reach for most ophthalmic clinics and completely unavailable to consumers. With a reimagined signal capture system and an optimized system design, I demonstrate a robust method for capturing the electrical signals emitted from the retina. With the improved accessibility and decreased cost of this technology, there are immediate opportunities for improved ophthalmic care on a broad scale. But beyond the clinical implications, accessible electroretinography presents an unprecedented opportunity for individuals to characterize their specific experience of color, contrast, and movement, making way for a whole new paradigm of tailored display technologies.

Department dc:contributor.department

Program in Media Arts and Sciences (Massachusetts Institute of Technology)

Grantor dc:publisher

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Year dc:date.issued

2014

Author dc:creator

• Canham, Amy Elizabeth

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Ramesh Raskar.

• Architecture. Program in Media Arts and Sciences.

Statement dc:rights

• M.I.T. theses are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from this source for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without written permission. See provided URL for inquiries about permission.

Licence dc:rights.uri

• http://dspace.mit.edu/handle/1721.1/7582

Language dc:language.iso

eng

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/91431

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:dspace.mit.edu:1721.1/91431