DesigningandImplementationofaNonInvasiveEyeTrackerSystem

GolnazBaghdadi,AliMotieNasrabadi
In the field of ophthalmology, vision researchers use eye tracking to study oculomotor
behavior,cognitivevisualfunctionandvisiondeficiencies.Quantifiableeyemovementanalysis
enables new diagnostic markers and identification of disease at a much earlier stage of
progression. Current methodologies that rely on observation can be automated, reducing
variability.Thereforeinthisresearchitwas triedto designanoninvasiveeyetrackersystem
whichcanbeusefulintheophthalmologyrelatedresearch.
In our system, we have used Infrared photoelectric oculography (IRTracking) method that is
contactfree, and can be used for a long time without any discomfort for the subject. The
system works based on the principle of reflection of infrared light by the sharp boundary
betweenirisandsclera,thelimbus.Themeasuredvaluesoftheeyepositionwereprocessedby
the systems software which shows the result of processing numerically or graphically. As
differentfactorssuchaschangingtheenvironmentlights,orchangingtheuserduringtheuse
and etc, can affect the performance of the system, a calibration stage was considered in the
software in order to reduce such effects. The calibration stage takes the advantage of
classificationmethodssuchasKnearestneighborhood.
The system was tested on 10 subjects several times. The test subjects were asked to look at
points in different directions and the system measured the direction of their gaze. The result
showsthatthedesignedsystemcantracktheeyemovementsandshowsthegazedirectionin
differenttimegraphicallyorasanumericalindex.
Inthisresearchaneyetrackersystemwasdesignedwhichisnovelinourcountrybecauseof
theimplementedtrackingmethodanditscalibrationstage.Thissystemthatcantracktheeye
movementsindifferentdirectionscanbeusefulindiagnosisofoculomotordisease.Theother
advantageofthesystemisthatthereisnonecessityforthesubjecttositinfrontofamonitor.
Thesystemcantrackthegazedirectionevenifthesubjectislyingdownonthebed.Therefore
the system can be used to investigate the performance of the eye movements after eye
surgeries. The designed eye tracker can also be used as an appropriated tool in the study of
cognitivevisualfunctionandvisiondeficiencies.
Eyemovementtracking,Ophthalmology,Infraredsensor,Photoelectric

3ndSeminaronOphthalmicPhysicsandBiomedicalEngineering
2012,FarabiEyeHospital

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3ndSeminaronOphthalmicPhysicsandBiomedicalEngineering
2012,FarabiEyeHospital