FAQs

Low vision is a disability that is often invisible and poorly understood.
We created the EyesReality low vision simulator to help the general public, families, professionals, and institutions better understand the daily reality of people with low vision.

Effective awareness-raising helps to:

• understand real-life difficulties,

• change behaviors and attitudes,

• improve support and guidance,

• promote inclusion, accessibility, and respect.

Raising awareness about visual impairment plays a key role in building a more inclusive society, where people with low vision can live more independently and participate fully in social, educational, and professional life.

EyesReality is an immersive and interactive low vision simulator based on augmented reality.
It allows users to simulate more than 25 common visual pathologies (AMD, glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, cataract, etc.), with the ability to combine several visual impairments.

Unlike virtual reality solutions, EyesReality works in real-life environments, providing a realistic and meaningful understanding of everyday situations.

The EyesReality low vision simulator is intended for:

• associations supporting people with visual impairments,

• specialized low vision centers,

• support professionals: orthoptists, occupational therapists, special educators, mobility instructors,

• awareness and training coordinators,

• schools and training centers for healthcare professionals,

• universities,

• hospitals with ophthalmology departments,

• any organization conducting awareness programs on visual impairment,

• as well as institutions already equipped with aging simulation tools.

Compared with cardboard or plastic simulation glasses and free mobile applications, EyesReality provides a far more immersive and realistic experience through augmented reality.

It allows:

• simulation of specific clinical conditions,

• real-life situations instead of predefined virtual scenes,

• a clearer understanding of the challenges faced daily by people with low vision.

This innovative approach generates greater engagement and curiosity around a topic that is often misunderstood or overlooked.

EyesReality offers a hands-on experience that complements theoretical explanations.
It allows participants to truly feel the difficulties, fears, and stress experienced daily by people with low vision.

We recommend integrating the simulator into a well-structured educational program, led by professionals familiar with low vision, in order to :

• answer questions raised by the experience,

• facilitate discussion,

• challenge misconceptions,

• and conclude with practical solutions and adaptive strategies.

In France, the EyesReality simulator is available directly from CFLOU.
In other countries, it is distributed through authorized partners.

Demonstrations or presentations can be organized upon request.
If your country is not yet covered, we can discuss potential distribution partnerships.

The duration depends on the activities and workshops designed around the simulator (reading, writing, computer use, guided mobility, etc.).

As a guideline:

• minimum recommended time: 6 minutes per person,

• maximum recommended time: 25 minutes per person.

This depends on:

• the number of simulators available,

• the time allocated to each participant,

• the educational content associated with the session.

With one simulator and the minimum recommended time, it is possible to sensitize up to 10 people per hour.

For larger groups, the simulator’s image can be displayed on a TV screen or projector via HDMI.
While less immersive, observing a participant struggling with real tasks remains a powerful awareness tool.

No. EyesReality has been designed to be simple and intuitive.
However, it is strongly recommended that the facilitator has good knowledge of visual impairment and compensation strategies, in order to answer questions and guide participants effectively.

A presentation booklet describing the simulated pathologies is provided.

Yes. Unlike solutions based on virtual 3D environments, EyesReality uses real environments, allowing for a much more accurate understanding of daily life and facilitating the identification of appropriate compensatory solutions.

Yes, our simulator allows for the simulation of essential activities like reading, writing, recognizing people, and watching TV. This helps users to understand the daily challenges faced by visually impaired individuals. 

EyesReality allows users to experience essential daily activities such as:

• reading,

• writing,

• recognizing people,

• watching television,

• using a computer and keyboard,

• moving around in real environments.

Approximately 4 days.

The main challenges include:

• • insufficient awareness of visual impairment,

  • limited understanding of daily impacts (loss of independence, stress, isolation, discrimination),

  • simulation tools that lack realism,

  • poor understanding of visual impairment by families and professionals,

  • insufficient involvement of relatives,

  • disrupted educational and professional pathways due to inadequate support.

Solutions provided

• highly realistic immersion in real-life environments,

• innovative awareness through augmented reality,

• adaptation to specific pathologies and varied scenarios,

• consideration of contrast management and visual stress.

Key benefits

• better understanding of visual impairments by caregivers, colleagues, and the general public,

• improved attitudes and behaviors toward people with low vision,

• development of awareness workshops and training sessions,

• support for orthoptists and mobility instructors in identifying new compensation strategies.

• Future updates are included for users of the latest version (subject to hardware feasibility).

• Delaying adoption means continuing to rely on less immersive and less impactful awareness tools, reducing the effectiveness of sensitization efforts.