Advancing Fall Prevention for People with Low Vision

For individuals who are blind or visually impaired, navigating daily life often comes with heightened risk—particularly the risk of falling. People with low vision often struggle with depth perception and navigating their environment, which makes them more prone to falls that can result in serious injury and loss of independence. 

At Envision Research Institute, Dr. Sarika Gopalakrishnan is tackling this challenge head-on with groundbreaking research that combines motion capture technology and augmented reality (AR) devices to improve balance and mobility. Her study—the first of its kind—is exploring how AR can help guide movement and enhance postural stability in people with low vision. 

This research is divided into two phases: the first compares three different AR devices to assess their effect on balance; the second will examine how these devices influence mobility, assessing whether individuals with low vision can move more safely and confidently in their environment. Dr. Gopalakrishnan’s findings have already garnered international attention and will be presented at the 2025 Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO) conference. 

Thanks to the generosity of our donors and the continued support of those who champion our mission, Envision is not only advancing impactful research but also fostering the next generation of vision scientists. Through a collaboration with Wichita State University, Dr. Gopalakrishnan and fellow researcher Dr. Jeremy Barton are working with student research assistants who are gaining hands-on experience that will help shape future breakthroughs. 

Together, we’re working toward a world where individuals with vision loss can move through life with greater safety, confidence, and independence. 

Research like this doesn’t just advance science—it transforms lives.