Research Axis 1
Identifying the factors underlying poor reading performance with eccentric vision
In this portion of my work, I investigated some of the factors suspected to account for slow peripheral reading (visual span, crowding, …). Project 1 is focused on low-level visual factors and individual clinical characteristics. Project 2 focuses on oculomotor factors. With Project 3, I launched a new line of research by investigating, for the first time in low vision, the impact of high-level psycholinguistic factors.
Project 1
Visual and Clinical Factors Influencing Eccentric Reading Performance
- Calabrèse et al., 2010 – Invest. Ophthalmology & Visual Science
- Calabrèse et al., 2011 – Invest. Ophthalmology & Visual Science
- Bernard et al., 2014 – Vision Research
Project 2
Oculomotor Factors Influencing Eccentric Reading Performance
- Scherlen et al., 2008 – Vision Research
- Calabrèse et al., 2014 – Invest. Ophthalmology & Visual Science
- Calabrèse et al., 2016 – Invest. Ophthalmology & Visual Science
Project 3
Psycholinguistic Factors Influencing Eccentric Reading Performance
- Stolowy et al., 2019 – Vision Research
- Sauvan et al., 2020 – LREC
- Sauvan et al., 2020 – Scientific Reports
Research Axis 2
Improving performance for eccentric viewing
Over the past twenty years, different approaches have been explored to improve visual function and restore accessibility to print for individuals forced to use eccentric vision.
First of all, great effort has been invested in determining whether manipulations of text display (magnification, font, line, word spacing, etc.) could improve reading performance, which I have contributed to through Project 1.
A second approach, which has emerged in the past years, is to optimize the capabilities of the remaining peripheral vision through perceptual learning. In Project 4, I have conducted research to :
- quantify the impact of perceptual learning on eccentric reading with CFL, while trying to
- identify the neural correlates of perceptual learning on eccentric reading.
At last, a third approach lies in the development of cutting-edge visual aid methods, targeted towards the low-vision population to increase visual accessibility. Project 5 falls directly within this line of research, with the development of three assistive technology systems.
Project 4
Using Perceptual Learning to Design Efficient New Training Methods
- Calabrèse et al., 2017 – PLoS ONE
Project 5
Developing Gaze-Contingent Visual Aids
- Gupta et al., 2018 – Invest. Ophthalmology & Visual Science
- Calabrèse et al., 2018 – Optometry and Vision Science
- Wu et al., submitted – Virtual Reality
Research Axis 3
Enhancing Screening Methods to Detect and Measure Reading Deficit
Reading speed is a strong predictor of visual ability and vision-related quality of life for patients with vision loss. As a consequence, reading performance has become one of the most important outcome measures in clinical trials for judging the effectiveness of treatments, surgical procedures or rehabilitation techniques. Thus, there is a strong need for validation tools in the form of standardized reading performance test.
Among the different tests currently available, the MNREAD acuity chart has been designed to measure the reading performance of people with normal and low vision. Its prominent use worldwide in both clinical and research settings makes it a strong diagnostic tool for reading deficit.
With the will to enhance further the features and possibilities of this valuable research and clinical tool, I initiated and led Project 6, which represents a more applied portion of the work that I carried out mainly during my post-doc at the University of Minnesota (USA). Project 7 gathers some of the resulting clinical applications.
Project 6
Implementing New Tools Using the MNREAD Acuity Chart
- Calabrèse et al., 2016 – JAMA Ophthalmology
- Calabrèse et al., 2018 – Journal of Vision
- Baskaran et al., 2019 – PLoS ONE
- Calabrèse et al., 2020 – CRAN R
Project 7
Clinical Applications
- Calabrèse et al., 2016 – Invest. Ophthalmology & Visual Science
- Xiong et al., 2018 – Invest. Ophthalmology & Visual Science
- Ryan et al., 2020 – Ophthalmic Surgery, Lasers and Imaging Retina