Novel imaging systems for intraocular retinal prostheses and wearable visual aids

The development of advanced wearable visual aid systems and implantable retinal prosthesis devices can enable quality of life improvements for millions of blind and low-vision patients. ❧ In this thesis, both designs and design principles of cameras for these devices are presented, such as the design and implementation of wide angle, wide dynamic range scene cameras for eye-tracked extraocular cameras and wearable visual aid applications, as well as ultraminiature intraocular cameras (IOC). Unique optical designs for miniature wide angle lenses are presented, as well as the implementation and testing of these lenses using closest matching commercial off-the-shelf lens elements. ❧ A design framework for the optimal design of wide angle computational cameras is also presented. In this hybrid optical/digital approach, the optical system produces an image with an optimal degree of barrel distortion and lateral chromatic aberration, and these are then corrected in software post-processing. ❧ In order to restore foveation in retinal prosthesis patients, a proof of principle eyeglass-mounted eye-tracked extraocular camera design with a custom designed and implemented wide angle camera, an integrated eye-tracking system, and software for image capture, gaze extraction and region selection is presented. ❧ Ultraminiature optical systems that allow for a significant reduction in size compared to earlier intraocular camera designs are also presented, and excellent imaging performance is demonstrated.