I tried the TOBII-I-15 device. The device was able to show both eyes under track status but was unable to calibrate even when the vender set it to do so point by point. His pupils are quite small. The vender is supposed to send me a list of medications known to negatively impact calibration secondary to pupil dilation.

 

Thanks so much for your insight!!

 

KJ

 

From: xxxxxx@alsa.simplelists.com [mailto:xxxxxx@alsa.simplelists.com] On Behalf Of Lisa Bruening
Sent: Tuesday, October 21, 2014 6:38 AM
To: xxxxxx@alsa.simplelists.com
Subject: [EXTERNAL] Re: Quadriplegic patient

 

Hi Kelli, 

 

I am also wondering which eye gaze device you tried as there is quite a bit of variability in the eye gaze control devices. 

 

I have known VA to pay for laser eye correction treatment in an effort to remove the need for bifocals... Perhaps that would be an option, however you stated that you could not get him to calibrate even without the bifocals. 

 

Like Antoinette, I wonder if you were able to calibrate to use the device? 

 

Finally, there are many medications which affect pupil dilation that also may interfere with calibration. 

 



Sent from my iPhone


On Oct 20, 2014, at 3:18 PM, "Johnson, Kelli M." <xxxxxx@va.gov> wrote:

Greetings and happy Monday.  I know this AT forum is typically focused on our PALS but I’d like your perspective regarding this challenging patient.

 

I have a veteran with C1-C4 complete Quadriplegia using a tongue switch to independently operate his Permobil 300. He has a Blom Trach speaking valve system in place although his average utterance length varies from 0 to 5 or 6 words. Many attempts have been made by his first speech pathologist and resp therapist to change his vent settings and increase his utterance length.  He has tried to use a head mouse without success due to limited head ROM. I had him in clinic today to calibrate him for eye gaze – no success. Even with changing the positioning of his bifocals, taking his glasses off, changing the color of the background and dot, changing the size of the calibration dot, and adjusting the lights in the room – no avail.

 

I’m hesitant to recommend a tongue switch for access to a communication device since he is also using his tongue to operate his Permobil chair (he is in the chair approx. 10-11 hours per day) and he is eating some foods and liquids by mouth. What other access methods could be considered for this patient? 

 

Thank you so much. I truly value your insight!

 

Kelli M. Johnson, M.S. CCC-SLP

Speech-Language Pathologist

James H. Quillen VAMC (126)

Mountain Home, TN 37684

Phone: (423) 979-2910

Fax:      (423) 979-3404

 

His mercies are new each day…