Making a Vision Simulator

1. Making a Vision Simulator • In this activity you will be creating two types of vision simulators that will approximate, • a peripheral visual field loss • a central visual field loss • reduced visual acuity • and will be used for the lab activities required for this module. Click on the links below to learn how to make each type of simulator Goggle Simulators Plastic Wrap Simulators

2. Goggle Simulators You will need the following materials: 1 Welding goggle 2 50mm clear plastic lenses 1 sheet of black construction paper 1 paper clip 1 bottle of clear fingernail polish 1 bottle of polish remover Kleenex tissue scissors

3. Goggle Simulators • Unscrew the goggles and take out the dark lenses • Using the dark lens as a guide, cut out two black circles. • Place one circle in the left eyepiece 1. 2..

4. Goggle Simulators 4. In the other circle, use the paper clip to poke a small hole. 5. Place this in the right eyepiece. 6. Screw the eyepieces back in place. 4. Experiment with the degree of peripheral loss by making several circles with different size holes. * Extend your arm, if you can see your fist through the simulator, it is about a 10 degree visual field. 5. Peripheral Visual Field Loss

5. Goggle Simulators • Take out one of the clear lenses from the envelope. • Paint the center of the lens with a coat of clear nail polish • When the polish is “tacky” dab with the kleenex. This will create the central “scotoma”. 4. Place the lens inside the left eyepiece leaving the original clear lens in place 5. Place a black circle (no hole) in the right eyepiece 2. 3.

6. Goggle Simulators • Place the lens inside the left eyepiece leaving the original clear lens in place • Place a black circle (no hole) in the right eyepiece. • Screw both eyepieces back into place. Central Visual Field Loss Experiment with the size and density of the “scotoma”. To re-do simply clean with polish remover.

7. Continue to: Plastic Wrap Simulator Instructions Back to top

8. Plastic Wrap Simulators You will need the following materials: • 1 box of Plastic Wrap • Masking Tape (3/4-inch width) You can use colored tape if you prefer.

9. Plastic Wrap Simulators • Tear off approx. 2.5 feet of plastic • Bring the right side to the left, folding it in half. Then smooth it out. 3. Continue folding in half until it is a long rectangle (approx 3 times) smoothing after each fold. 1. 1. 3.

10. Plastic Wrap Simulators Try making several of these simulators with varying degrees of visual acuity loss. 4. Roll the rectangle into a tight ball. The more you squash it, the more dense it will become. 4. Tear off a long strip of masking tape and place “sticky” side up. 5. Place the “long side” of the plastic wrap rectangle in the middle of the masking tape 5.

11. Plastic Wrap Simulators 6. Tear off another long strip of masking tape that is slightly shorter than the original. This will leave a sticky side on each end. • Place on top of the original tape, “sandwiching” the plastic wrap in between. • Now it can be wrapped around the head, and is held in place with the two “sticky” ends. 7. 8. Reduced Visual Acuity

12. Continue to: Goggle Simulator Instructions Back to top