VR Synoptophore — Binocular Vision Assessment in Virtual Reality

Replicating traditional sensorimotor exams in a VR workflow designed for precision and comfort.

What It Is

VR Synoptophore is a virtual-reality tool that presents separate stimuli to each eye and records responses with eye tracking. It is designed to mirror conventional sensorimotor testing for ocular misalignment and binocular vision while improving patient experience and standardization.

Approach

We built a custom Quest Pro application to mirror legacy sensorimotor workflows in VR. The examiner guides each step, records alignment measures, and compares results with standard testing. The goal is clinical accuracy with a simpler, software-based setup.

Workflow at a Glance

  • Calibration: device fit and monocular/biocular checks; baseline fixation.
  • Stimulus presentation: separate images to each eye to emulate traditional targets.
  • Alignment measures: examiner adjusts in-app controls to determine deviation and fusion status.
  • Recording: alignment and patient responses are logged for comparison with standard exams.
  • Review: results are summarized for clinical interpretation; discrepancies are flagged for follow-up.

Design Considerations

  • Inclusion: Snellen 20/60 or better.
  • Exclusion: developmental/cognitive delay; needs but lacks corrective lenses.
  • Comfort & access: seated testing with guided prompts; minimal setup; examiner-controlled pace.
  • Standardization: software-defined stimuli and logging to reduce manual error.
Patient seated during binocular vision assessment using the Quest Pro headset

Study 1 — VR Headset Diagnostic Accuracy

Objective: evaluate a custom Quest Pro application against standard sensorimotor exams for ocular misalignment and binocular vision.

  • Inclusion: Snellen 20/60 visual acuity or better.
  • Exclusion: developmental or cognitive delay; requires but lacks corrective lenses.
  • Method: VR app replicates clinical measures; examiner records alignment and compares with traditional testing.
  • Implications: standardized measurements; supports remote workflows and may reduce manual error.

Financial disclosures: none. Limitations: early study; sample size and settings to expand.

Team

Tania Usner

Orthoptist specializing in assessing and treating eye movement and coordination disorders. Provides clinical guidance and conducts patient testing.

Dr. Benjamin Jastrzembski

Ophthalmologist focused on pediatric and adult strabismus. Leads clinical evaluation and validation of measurement accuracy.

Poz Long

VR developer integrating eye-tracking and immersive technology into diagnostic tools. Designs and builds the VR Synoptophore software.

Monica Tran

BS, Touro University California (MS-2, 2025), Kohl Summer Scholar. Supports study design, testing, and data collection for the VR headset trial.

Dr. Benjamin Jastrzembski and Monica Tran, collaborators on the VR Synoptophore study

Disclosures & Acknowledgments

No financial interests or relationships to disclose. Acknowledgments: UC Davis Health Eye Center and the J. William Kohl Summer Research Scholarship.

Contact

For clinical collaboration or information, email us.