Eye-tracking in Mixed Reality for Diagnosis of Neurodegenerative Diseases
Mateusz Daniol, Daria Hemmerling, Jakub Sikora, Pawel Jemiolo, Marek Wodzinski, Magdalena Wojcik-Pedziwiatr
TL;DR
This work targets non-invasive biomarkers for Parkinson's disease by using a Mixed Reality eye-tracking system (HoloLens 2) to capture and analyze four oculomotor tasks. A Unity-based front end paired with a C++ data layer implements a four-task protocol and a feature-extraction pipeline that yields metrics such as saccade latency, speed, amplitudes, fixation time, and smooth pursuit characteristics. Feasibility is demonstrated with a small cohort (healthy controls and PD patients), showing PD-related differences in reflex speed and 20° amplitudes, supporting MR-based eye-tracking as a potential diagnostic biomarker. The study highlights the practicality of deploying affordable, wireless eye-tracking in home and hospital settings to enable scalable PD screening and monitoring.
Abstract
Parkinson's disease ranks as the second most prevalent neurodegenerative disorder globally. This research aims to develop a system leveraging Mixed Reality capabilities for tracking and assessing eye movements. In this paper, we present a medical scenario and outline the development of an application designed to capture eye-tracking signals through Mixed Reality technology for the evaluation of neurodegenerative diseases. Additionally, we introduce a pipeline for extracting clinically relevant features from eye-gaze analysis, describing the capabilities of the proposed system from a medical perspective. The study involved a cohort of healthy control individuals and patients suffering from Parkinson's disease, showcasing the feasibility and potential of the proposed technology for non-intrusive monitoring of eye movement patterns for the diagnosis of neurodegenerative diseases. Clinical relevance - Developing a non-invasive biomarker for Parkinson's disease is urgently needed to accurately detect the disease's onset. This would allow for the timely introduction of neuroprotective treatment at the earliest stage and enable the continuous monitoring of intervention outcomes. The ability to detect subtle changes in eye movements allows for early diagnosis, offering a critical window for intervention before more pronounced symptoms emerge. Eye tracking provides objective and quantifiable biomarkers, ensuring reliable assessments of disease progression and cognitive function. The eye gaze analysis using Mixed Reality glasses is wireless, facilitating convenient assessments in both home and hospital settings. The approach offers the advantage of utilizing hardware that requires no additional specialized attachments, enabling examinations through personal eyewear.