Glare and Haze Operational Simulation and Testing (GHOST) System R&D

"This Phase I SBIR proposal is for the initial development of an ophthalmologic Glare and Haze Operational Simulation and Testing (GHOST) system for generating, quantifying and assessing the impact of scattered light under normal operational environmentsand visual duties. The proposed concept employs scattered light glare and haze generating light sources, projection of visual targets onto normal visual scenes using a projected scene generator or heads-up display, measurement of light scattered andreflected from specific parts of the eye, determination of eye characteristics (such as light adaptation) during testing, as well as documentation of relative geometries and other test conditions by a computer control, data acquisition, and signalprocessing system. The optimum configuration, optical brassboard design, packaging and computer requirements will be addressed in the Phase I effort. A Phase I Option effort is also proposed that includes the fabrication, assembly and laboratoryperformance testing of optical brassboard components. The proposed GHOST system offers the potential for improved evaluations of the effect of glare and haze on visual performance. It represents enhanced instrumentation for investigations into thecontributions to scattered light by natural causes, disease or due to eye surgery. It further represents advances in investigative tools for developing improvements in eye surgery procedures or implants, accident