Searching for objects in their surrounding is challenging for blind and visually impaired individuals (BVI) in daily life. Current assistive technologies powered by large language models (LLMs) and vision language models (VLMs) can offer BVI scene descriptions through conversations. However, communication is often inefficient in helping BVI to reach daily objects or destinations, because those general purpose LLMs/VLMs are not optimized for interpreting or conveying spatial information. We developed a smart glass solution that can utilize open vocabulary object detection models to aid BVI in searching/reaching for a variety of specific objects that are not limited to fixed categories of model training. In our implementations, video streams from the glasses can be processed using open vocabulary object detection models either locally or on other connected devices, such as a smartphone or computer. User can input custom search prompt verbally. This hands-free solution allows people to naturally scan their surroundings by moving their heads, and the stereo audio tones provide directional cues in horizontal and vertical directions to help zero in on the targets, so that it becomes possible to reach these objects accurately. We conducted a human subject pilot study involving 5 blindfolded individuals who reached specific objects (e.g. grabbing the red bottle; reaching the empty chair) among other distractors. The smart glasses solution was compared with Ray-Ban Meta glasses that were running built-in Meta AI for scene recognition. The average task time with our solution (53 seconds) was significantly lower than Meta glasses (126 seconds, p<0.001). The device was also demonstrated to successfully aid a blind user in a grocery shopping scenario. This work shows that active orientation guidance, which is typically lacking in VLMs but provided by our smart glasses solution, can aid in interaction with surrounding environment, such as when reaching for objects and destinations.

Acute headache is a common clinical presentation with a broad differential diagnosis, ranging from benign to life-threatening conditions. Early recognition of atypical causes is essential, particularly when initial investigations are inconclusive. The etiology of acute headache can be broadly classified into primary and secondary causes. Primary headaches occur in the absence of identifiable structural pathology, whereas secondary headaches arise from an underlying organic cause. In this case presentation, a 65-year-old woman presented with a severe headache, which was triggered by an episode of sneezing. The pain was severe, rated 10 out of 10 in intensity, described as a constant dull ache that was felt all over the head but was more prominent in the occipital region, and it was accompanied by photophobia. The pain was not relieved by pain medications and was not associated with fever or trauma. No past history of migraine. On examination, she had no neck stiffness or abnormal neurology. Eye examination revealed bilateral redness and dilated and fixed pupils. Pain continued to be severe despite regular analgesia. A CT head revealed no space-occupying lesion or bleed. She was admitted for close observation and consideration of further investigations, including MRI, lumbar puncture, and inpatient neurology review. Unfortunately, before the MRI, the headache worsened, and the patient also complained of reduced vision in both eyes. An urgent ophthalmology review was requested, which revealed increased intraocular pressure (IOP) in both eyes (right eye 39 mmHg, left eye 40 mmHg, normal IOP: 10-21 mmHg). She was diagnosed with bilateral acute angle-closure glaucoma (AACG). She was given medical management as per the glaucoma protocol; however, as the headache worsened, medical management failed to reduce ocular pressure. She was taken for emergency anterior chamber (AC) paracentesis due to refractory IOP and peripheral iridotomy on the same day as definitive management. Over the next few days, her vision and headache started to improve. She was discharged with regular follow-up with the glaucoma clinic.

We report a unique case of iris metastasis from epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-positive lung adenocarcinoma, diagnosed solely by cytologic analysis of aqueous humor without tissue biopsy.

A surfactant-free, confinement-assisted optical encoding strategy is presented for preparing color-encoded poly(styrene-co-methacrylic acid) microspheres as polymeric chromogenic probes for dual-color immunochromatographic assays. Hydrophobic dyes were immobilized within styrene-rich polymer domains, while the carboxyl-enriched shell remained accessible for antibody conjugation. The obtained microspheres showed uniform morphology, stable optical properties, and low nonspecific interference. Loading of five hydrophobic chromophores confirmed the versatility of this confinement-assisted encoding platform for constructing distinguishable color probes. Red- and blue-encoded microspheres were further employed as dual-color labels in a representative MxA/CRP lateral-flow immunoassay for the simultaneous detection of myxovirus resistance protein A (MxA) and C-reactive protein (CRP). The dual-color immunochromatographic assay enabled visual detection within 15 min, with naked-eye visual detection thresholds of 50 ng mL- 1 for MxA and 5 µg mL- 1 for CRP, providing distinguishable dual-color readouts and good reproducibility under the tested conditions. This study provides a simple and cost-effective approach for preparing surfactant-free color-encoded polymer probes and highlights their applicability as a material platform in multiplex immunochromatographic analysis.

Colour vision changes are a key clinical feature of many acquired retinal and optic nerve disorders. Current clinical tests are often labour-intensive or designed for congenital defects. We introduce the novel LSS-8 test, which measures colour saturation thresholds across eight hues. Three cohorts with mixed ocular health underwent testing in a diagnostic crossover study. The reliability cohort was tested with LSS-4 on different days (n = 30 eyes). The screen independence cohort used LSS-8 with 11-inch versus 13-inch screens in random order (n = 27 eyes). Brightness independence testing used LSS-8 at 115 cd/m[2] versus 230 cd/m[2] (n = 19 eyes). Scores for each plate set and total scores were recorded. Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) and absolute difference frequency distributions were calculated. Data from 74 eyes (74 subjects; mean age 62.4 ± 19.1 years; range 20-85; 39% female) were analysed. LSS-4 test-retest reliability with ICC(2,1) was excellent (mauve 0.93, red 0.95, green 0.87, blue 0.91, total score 0.96). LSS-8 screen independence testing showed excellent reliability for mauve, green, pink and total scores (ICC(2,k) 0.74-0.98), and moderate to good reliability for other hues. Varying screen brightness did not produce significant score differences in most participants. The LSS is a simple, reliable test with potential for rapid quantification of acquired colour vision defects.