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Roche Ophthalmology Macular Disease XR Simulation

4 min read October 24, 2023

Challenge & Context

Macular disease can take many forms, e.g. age-related macular degeneration (AMD) being one of the most common conditions and the most significant cause of sight loss. The global number of people living with macular disease globally is estimated to reach 288 million by 2040. The condition today impacts nearly 11 million people in the US alone, with the number expected to increase twofold by 2050, with people of all ages living with the condition. Even though no cure currently exists for AMD, treatment may slow down the disease and diminish the severity of vision loss. Therefore, it requires additional awareness. Being a global leader in Pharmaceuticals and Diagnostics, Roche together with Lucid Reality Labs took this challenge through XR technology.

The Solution

With the primary goal of spreading awareness about macular disease, which can be the most effectively executed while immersing in real-life experience, Roche, together with Lucid Reality Labs decided to achieve this immersiveness using Extended Reality (XR). The solution named “Seeing the Problem” The Extended Reality (XR) Ophthalmology Macular Disease Simulation was developed to address this challenge. It is a brand-new unique product that, for the first time in the history of Ophthalmology, allows healthcare practitioners, medical students and patient associations to experience first-hand and share the pain and challenges of people living with the macular disease condition.

Features & Functions

“Seeing the Problem” The Extended Reality (XR) Ophthalmology Macular Disease Simulation is a one-of-a-kind immersive tool built to demonstrate real-time Macular Disease (AMD) conditions. It helps users experience and learn what it is like to live with these symptoms and face everyday challenges.

The product was built using visual materials, medical specialists’ insights, and patient feedback to ensure accurate condition representation. The XR experience was developed using one of the most advanced mixed reality headsets on the market, Varjo XR-3, with the highest visual fidelity. Experience utilized the device’s eye-tracking, making it impossible to avert from the symptoms and see-through capabilities that overlayed the real-life objects and surroundings with the condition symptoms in real-time (visual distortions, increased blurriness of printed words, and well-defined blind spot in their field of vision).

Different Levels of Macular Disease Conditions

Parliamentary drop-in for the UK MPs

“Seeing the Problem” The Extended Reality (XR) Ophthalmology Macular Disease Simulation presentation to the UK Members of Parliament drove active communication around the eye care topic and involved governors, professional associations and practitioners, and journalists. Even more, in 2021, the #TheEyesHaveIt featured information about the XR tool and was the second-highest tweeted hashtag after COP26 by the UK Members of Parliament. Beyond that, the presented XR solution paves the way for technology into some currently neglected or underfunded social problems, which can be addressed by using immersive technology and changing the quality of lives of millions worldwide. The second presentation took place in 2022, enhancing all the progress aimed at contributing to creating an inclusive National Strategy for Eye Care.

Benefits of the Product

The main benefit of this product is that, for the first time in the history of ophthalmology, healthcare practitioners, medical students, and patient associations obtained an opportunity to experience the macular disease condition first-hand. It allows helping identify an early diagnosis and prevent the condition deterioration. Although no cure currently exists for AMD, timely treatment may slow down the disease and diminish the severity of vision loss. As mentioned, in the US alone, this illness impacts nearly 11 million people and is estimated to reach 288 million by 2040 globally.

The XR solution presented in the UK House of Parliament was highly praised by more than 50 Members of Parliament as they could experience the macular disease conditions, feel and engage in the daily routine of a person suffering from this condition and empower further steps to improve care for such patients.

Results & Impact

As a result of Roche’s “Eyes Have It” campaign and the presentations for the UK Parliament in 2021 and 2022, the company established a fantastic partnership with the Macular Society and Fight for Sight organizations, which has led to a hugely successful start to a campaign raising awareness of eye health and encouraging Parliament to take action on NHS capacity and access to treatment to prevent avoidable sight loss.

Beyond that, the presented XR solution paves the way for technology into some currently neglected or underfunded social problems, which can be addressed by using immersive technology and changing the quality of lives of millions worldwide.