MD evTrainer app for iPhone and iPad

The EV trainer app contains a number of interactive charts designed to perform a basic assessment of the central vision loss (scotoma) in people with Macular Degeneration. There is an introductory video that describes the different types of central vision loss and the potential of using the ‘eccentric viewing technique’, as a simple strategy to make use of the best region of remaining vision. The sequence of interactive charts follow a flow designed to show the nature of the central scotoma and identify the location of the best region of remaining vision. The charts include the: Amsler Grid, Clock Face, Face test, 1-9 Number Line, and a Dynamic rotating disc test. These tests can reveal the nature of the central vision loss and help to identify if the person has a relative or absolute scotoma, oedema (distortion), or ring scotoma with some central sparing. The subsequent tests like the clock face, and face test enable the person to practice shifting their gaze away from centre to explore using their best region of remaining vision for visual recognition. Each test can also be selected individually from a main menu. The potential of using the eccentric viewing technique, for people with absolute central vision loss is explained and can be practiced with the face test and word or non-word test. Reading can be improved for some people by presenting text as a single scrolling line as used in the MDevReader and EV-platform apps. A sample passage of scrolling text is included to enable people to try reading with this method and to introduce the idea of the steady-eye strategy.